The 13th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group (JWG) on Border Management (BM) was held in Pokhara, Nepal on March 27-28.

In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the decisions taken in the last JWG on BM that took place in New Delhi on 15-16 June 2022, particularly with respect to repair and maintenance of border pillars.

They also deliberated on issues related to trans-border criminal activities; strengthening of border infrastructure particularly ICPs, roads and railway-network; empowerment and capacity building of various security-related institutions; and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The JWG on BM also reviewed progress on concluding the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the working of Border District Coordination Committee (BDCC) between the two sides.

The two sides agreed to ensure that the meetings of the JWG on BM are held regularly.

The Indian delegation extended an invitation to the Nepali delegation for the next JWG on BM to be held in India next year. Mihir Kumar, joint-secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, led the Indian delegation while Ramchandra Tiwari, joint-secretary (Security and Coordination), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, led the Nepali side.