Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF), Nepal organized a webinar on Nepal-India Border Relations on 26th November, 2021. Discussants included: Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, Research Director at CESIF Nepal. Summera Shrestha, Executive Director for Women for Human Rights. Senior Journalist and Analyst, Chandrakishore and Hon’ble Malamati Rana, Member of the Parliament of the Sudhurpaschim Provincial Parliament. The discussion was moderated by Lumana Upreti, Research Fellow at CESIF Nepal. 



The webinar mainly focused on the issue of Nepal-India Cross Border Relations and challenges that exist in the smooth functioning of border relations and regional connectivity. The webinar also highlighted the economic and social hardship faced by the border inhabitants due to the political differences between two countries and lack of border policies and regulations to regulate the movement of people. There exists a policy vacuum which gives arbitrary power to the police officials stationed at the border to mistreat the border inhabitants. The speakers emphasized the need for politics of trust, understanding and dialogue between both the nations to move forward. In addition to that, the speakers maintained that economic development is a long term solution to reduce migration and vulnerabilities.