Question : INDO-NEPAL JOINT WORKING GROUP MEETING



(a) whether the Fourth India-Nepal Joint Working Group Meeting was held recently:

(b) if so, the details of the last three meetings and the current meeting: and

(c) the outcome of all the four meetings ?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)

(a) , (b) and (c) A Statement is placed on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (A) TO (C) OF THE ANSWER TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 451 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2001 ON `INDO-NEPAL JOINT WORKING GROUP MEETING`


The Fourth Meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group on Border Management was held in New Delhi on 28 and 29 June, 2001.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri Surendra Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Nepalese delegation was led by Shri Tika Dutta Niraula, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, His Majesty`s Government of Nepal.

During this and the previous meetings, both sides reiterated their determination not to allow their respective territories for activities directed against each other. They also had a useful exchange of views on various aspects of effective management of India-Nepal border. They agreed to strengthen co-operation to control activities of terrorists / criminals and other undesirable elements across the border and share intelligence in these areas.

During the Fourth Meeting, both sides agreed to hold regular meetings of the Interpol units of India and Nepal to expedite disposal of pending cases on both sides. The meeting also agreed to commence expert level discussions on a legal framework for co-operation in criminal and civil matters and to review extradition arrangements.

The two sides also agreed to expedite procedural aspects of improving infrastructural facilities at the border check-posts. While appreciating the improvements in security arrangements at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, the meeting emphasised the need for early computerisation of immigration facilities.

It was also agreed to schedule Home Secretary Level talks at the earliest.