India, Nepal discuss border issues, Maoists

India and Nepal on Friday launched their crucial two-day home secretary-level talks in Kathmandu. The two sides are expected to ink an extradition treaty and formulate a border security and management strategy.

Home Secretary G K Pillai, who arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday evening, commenced the bilateral security meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Govinda Kusum and is likely to seek tough action against those carrying out anti-India activities from this country.

Apart from concluding an extradition treaty and a pact on Mutual Legal Assistance, the meeting of the top security officers will deliberate on real-time exchange of information on Maoists and coordination among border districts to tackle drugs and fake currency smugglers, official sources said.

The Indian delegation is also likely to chalk out a strategy with its eastern neighbour on issues relating to security and the management of the 1,751-km-long porous border. India has expressed its concern over the growing problem of circulation of fake currency notes through the border to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal during his visit to New Delhi in August.

India and Nepal had agreed on the need for more cooperation between security forces of the two countries to jointly tackle growing criminal activities along the border.

The two sides will also discuss issues pertaining to the establishment of a police academy in Panauti, in east Kathmandu, under Indian assistance and setting up the Nepal Police Training Centre in Bharatpur. Nepal and India will sign agreements for empowerment and capacity-building of the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, Customs officials and training to the District Administrative Officers of Nepal, Indian embassy sources said.

Besides, Nepal is likely to seek India's help in controlling the activities of various armed outfits in its troubled Terai region. The two officials are also expected to discuss the development of infrastructure along the border. India is building two Integrated Check Posts at Birgunj-Raxaul and Biratnagar-Jogbani to regulate the flow of people across the border.

During his visit, the Home Secretary is likely to call on Prime Minister Nepal and Home Minister Bhim Rawal. The last home secretary-level talks between the two countries were held on October 31 and November 1, 2008 in New Delhi.