Nepal stresses regional unity against terrorism at Kathmandu forum

Amid rising concerns over regional security, policymakers and experts at a high-level forum in Kathmandu on Wednesday (9 July) underscored the urgency of stronger cooperation among South Asian nations to combat terrorism.

Organised by the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE), the event titled "Terrorism in South Asia: Challenges to Regional Peace and Security" brought together over 150 participants, including former ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, security officials, and scholars, reads a press release.

The dialogue followed the 22 April terrorist attack in India's Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead, including a Nepali citizen, heightening Nepal's sense of vulnerability.

Photo: Courtesy

Former Defence Minister Dr Minendra Rijal warned that "terrorism in India will have a spillover into Nepal," blaming Pakistan for using terrorism to undermine SAARC and stall regional economic growth.

"The world needs to unite against terrorism, just as it did after 9/11," he said.

MP Shisir Khanal called for enhanced bilateral security ties with India through modern surveillance, upgraded border points, and real-time intelligence sharing. Former minister Chanda Chaudhary emphasised cracking down on money laundering to choke off terrorist financing.

Former Foreign Minister NP Saud pushed for a structured regional mechanism to tackle terrorism and urged closer Nepal-India coordination, while Sunil Bahadur Thapa flagged concerns that Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed could exploit Nepal as a backdoor route.

Photo: Courtesy

Dr Sambhu Ram Simkhada termed poverty and terrorism "the twin tragedies of South Asia," stressing that no state should shelter violent actors. Former diplomats Dinesh Bhattari and Madhu Raman Acharya highlighted the need for intelligence sharing and joint patrols, cautioning against regional escalation.

Retired Major General Purna Silwal lamented the lack of a unified global counter-terror front. NIICE Director Sumitra Karki recalled the 1999 IC-814 hijacking from Kathmandu, urging proactive security steps.

NIICE's Dr Pramod Jaiswal said state-sponsored terrorism, particularly from Pakistan, remains South Asia's biggest threat, calling for decisive regional and global action.

The forum concluded with a collective call for deeper engagement, intelligence sharing, and unified political resolve to counter terrorism.