KATHMANDU: Nepal and India have agreed to finalize treaties on mutual legal assistance and extradition during a Home Secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi. This marks the first such high-level dialogue in nine years.

Nepal’s delegation, led by Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, included top officials from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, National Intelligence Department, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting focused on cross-border crimes such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal entry of third-country nationals, and terrorism.

Both sides agreed to strengthen open border security, improve disaster management cooperation, and maintain border pillars.

Discussions also addressed flooding in border areas caused by infrastructure projects.

The proposed treaties aim to enhance information exchange, support investigations and prosecutions, and facilitate extradition of criminals.

The agreements are expected to be signed during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India.