India, Nepal discuss border security, cross-border crime as Amit Shah meets Sudhan Gurung

New Delhi: The Union home minister, Amit Shah, met Nepal’s home minister, Sudhan Gurung, in New Delhi on Tuesday, with discussions focusing on strengthening border management, combating transnational crime and improving disaster preparedness. The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the first Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) home ministers’ meeting, which brought together seven countries to address regional security challenges.

The two ministers discussed closer coordination between security agencies, law enforcement cooperation and responses to cross-border security threats, according to Nepal’s embassy in India. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, although no new security agreement or operational arrangement was announced.

Open border, cross-border crime and disaster response

India and Nepal share a long, open border extending across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim. The arrangement supports trade, livelihoods and longstanding family ties, allowing citizens of both countries to travel without visas under existing bilateral provisions.

However, the movement of criminal networks, trafficking and smuggling makes coordination between border agencies important. The latest discussions focused on managing these concerns while maintaining legitimate cross-border movement.

Disaster preparedness also featured prominently. Gurung thanked India for its timely assistance following recent floods and landslides in Nepal and emphasised practical cooperation in responding to emergencies, according to the Kathmandu Post.

The two countries face recurring floods and landslides that affect border communities, transport links and infrastructure, making coordinated warnings and emergency assistance important.

Gurung separately raised technical difficulties affecting Nepali businesses seeking access to the Indian market, particularly requirements under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Nepal’s ministry of home affairs said the Indian side responded positively, although no exemption, regulatory change or implementation timeline was announced.

Bimstec adopts Delhi declaration on regional security

The bilateral meeting coincided with the adoption of the Delhi declaration by Bimstec’s seven members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The declaration reaffirmed cooperation against cross-border terrorism, terrorist financing, organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and cybercrime. It also prioritized information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition cooperation and capacity building.

The ministers called for implementing existing regional conventions and finalized action plans covering human trafficking, narcotics and anti-money laundering. They also encouraged the early finalization of proposed conventions on extradition, transfer of sentenced persons and trafficking in persons.

Disaster management formed another component of the regional agenda, including stronger early-warning systems, joint exercises and coordinated emergency responses.

India offered training and capacity-building support in counterterrorism, cybercrime investigation, forensic capabilities and related security fields.

These commitments were made under the wider Bimstec framework and do not represent separate bilateral agreements between India and Nepal.

The two neighbours concluded their discussions with a commitment to closer security and disaster management cooperation. Neither government announced new border deployments, a bilateral intelligence-sharing agreement or a decision on Nepal’s BIS certification concerns.