International 31 October 2026
India and Nepal Agree to Strengthen Border Security Through Enhanced Coordination and Modern Surveillance
Why in the News?
The **10th Nepal-India Coordination Meeting** between India’s **Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)** and Nepal’s **Armed Police Force (APF)** concluded in Kathmandu, with both nations agreeing to bolster border security via intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and smart surveillance technologies.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Event Leadership & Dates: The 3-day high-level meeting (October 28–30, 2026) was co-chaired by SSB Director General **Sanjay Singhal** and APF Inspector General **Narayan Dutta Poudel**.
- Countering Cross-Border Crimes: Agreed to step up joint operations against human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit currency, and unauthorized entry of third-country nationals through strict document verification.
- Smart Border Management Systems: Discussions focused on deploying CCTV cameras in sensitive zones, installation of baggage scanners and metal detectors at checkpoints, and expanded use of drones for aerial surveillance.
- No-Man's-Land Maintenance: Joint commitment to remove illegal encroachments in the no-man’s-land area and maintain/reconstruct border pillars along the frontier.
- Disaster Management & Joint Exercises: Planned a joint swift-water rescue exercise at **Kurintar, Nepal**, alongside institutional steps to tackle social media misuse and misinformation.
- Next Meeting: The 11th India-Nepal Coordination Meeting is provisionally scheduled to be hosted in **New Delhi in 2027**.
Static GK Facts:
- Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB):
- Formed: **December 20, 1963** (Originally as Special Service Bureau).
- Headquarters: **New Delhi**.
- Nodal Ministry: **Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)**.
- Official Motto: **"Service, Security and Brotherhood"**.
- Operational Responsibility: Guards the open borders with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km).
- India-Nepal Border Geography:
- Total Length: **~1,751 Kilometres**.
- 5 Indian States sharing border with Nepal: **Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Who led the Indian delegation at the 10th Nepal-India Coordination Meeting held in Kathmandu?
A: Sanjay Singhal (Director General, SSB)
Q: Under which Union Ministry does the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) function?
A: Ministry of Home Affairs
Q: Which two border guarding forces co-chaired the 10th India-Nepal Coordination Meeting?
A: Sashastra Seema Bal (India) and Armed Police Force (Nepal)
Q: How many Indian states share an international land border with Nepal?
A: 5 States (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim)
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