Nepal and India have agreed to use modern technology, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other equipment, to strengthen security surveillance in sensitive areas along the border.

The understanding was reached at the 14th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Working Group (JWG) on Border Management, which concluded on Friday in Dehradun, India. The Nepali delegation was led by Home Ministry Joint Secretary Ananda Kafle, while the Indian side was led by Paushumi Basu, joint secretary at India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

“Both sides agreed to enhance security surveillance in sensitive border areas through the use of modern and latest technology, including CCTV and other modern equipment,” the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.

The two sides will hold further discussions on the use of such technology, including its deployment and operation by security agencies on the ground, according to a Nepali official who participated in the meeting.

The meeting focused primarily on border security, cross-border crime, trade and other issues of mutual concern. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and real-time information-sharing among relevant agencies to combat cross-border crimes, including the trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, prohibited and controlled medicines, wildlife, and people.

They also discussed economic crimes, including the circulation of counterfeit currency, arms and ammunition smuggling and other illegal activities. The Nepali side raised emerging security challenges such as cybercrime and cross-border digital fraud.

The two sides also discussed measures to strengthen security arrangements and infrastructure along the Nepal-India border and improve coordination and information-sharing among security agencies. Issues of radicalisation and religious fundamentalism, disaster risk reduction and management, and border infrastructure were also discussed.

According to Nepali officials, the meeting also featured talks on removing encroachments from no-man’s-land, unauthorised trade, and Indian assistance to Nepali security agencies. Capacity building of Nepal’s security institutions was also on the agenda.

Nepal also renewed its request for India to recognise its national identity card as a valid travel document for travel between the two countries.

India is positive about the proposal but has sought more time to consider it, according to a Nepali official.

The two sides also reviewed decisions taken by lower-level security mechanisms involving chief district officers on the Nepali side and district magistrates on the Indian side, as well as the Armed Police Force and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal.

Issues related to radicalisation, religious fundamentalism, activities of third-country nationals and tightening border security have routinely featured in security meetings between Nepal and India, from home secretary-level talks to meetings between chief district officers and district magistrates.

The two countries also have a permanent local-level mechanism, the Border District Coordination Committee, to address security concerns in border districts.