Question : INDO-NEPAL COOPERATION ON TERRORISM



(a) whether India and Nepal have signed an agreement to set up an Indo-Nepal Coordination Committee to counter terrorism; and

(b) if so, the details of the agreement and the composition and functions of the Joint Coordination Committee?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)

(a) & (b) India and Nepal have not entered into any formal bilateral agreement to set up a Joint Coordination Committee to counter terrorism. However, measures have been taken by the Government to enhance cooperation with Nepal, particularly with regard to implementing effective management of the open India-Nepal border, to counter terrorist activities directed against India from the Nepalese territory. The concerned agencies of the two Governments remain in regular touch to coordinate efforts to tackle this problem. There are also bilateral institutional mechanisms, such as the Joint Working Group on Border Management and Home Secretary level talks, which have been evolved to specifically develop cooperation on security matters and to address these concerns. In pursuance of the decisions taken in these meetings, both sides have agreed to jointly coordinate measures, including stepping up vigil along the contiguous border districts of India and Nepal, to prevent misuse of the open India-Nepal border for activities directed against India. On their part, the Government of Nepal have assured that their territory would not be used for activities inimical to India`s interest and have been extending their cooperation to the Government of India in this regard.