Indo-Nepal Media Forum exchange concept papers on strengthening cross-border cooperation

PRASHANT ACHARYA

KAKARVITTA (Nepal),: The Indo-Nepal Media Forum took a significant step towards strengthening cross-border cooperation by exchanging its concept papers during an interaction programme held at the Tourism Office in Kakarvitta, eastern Nepal, on Monday afternoon.

The forum, established to enhance collaboration among journalists working along the India-Nepal border, unveiled a comprehensive 12-point concept paper outlining its objectives and future roadmap. The initiative aims to promote coordinated news and information sharing, research-based journalism, and constructive dialogue on issues affecting communities on both sides of the border.

The concept paper highlights key priorities including strengthening coordination among media professionals, promoting fact-based reporting on cross-border issues, protecting forests, wildlife and biodiversity, addressing human-wildlife conflict, raising public awareness against human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal trade and other transnational crimes, and encouraging solution-oriented journalism on social, cultural, economic and humanitarian issues in the border region.

It also seeks to create a common platform for dialogue among government agencies, local bodies, security forces, civil society organisations and media institutions of both countries. Capacity-building programmes, workshops, study visits and exchange programmes for journalists will also be organised to improve professional skills and foster mutual understanding.

The forum further aims to strengthen the historical, cultural, religious and social ties between Nepal and India, contribute to peace, trust, safe cross-border movement and sustainable development, and undertake joint research, documentation, publications and policy dialogues on border-related issues. Organisers said these objectives would help establish the forum not merely as a network of journalists but as an effective Track-II diplomacy platform that promotes people-to-people relations and policy dialogue between the two neighbouring countries.

To implement these objectives, a Joint Coordination Committee was formed on June 27.

Prashant Acharya has been appointed as the coordinator from India, while Tirtha Sigdel will lead the Nepal side. Prabin Adhikari has been assigned as Treasurer from Nepal and Chandan Sitoula as Treasurer from India.

The organisers informed that the forum will soon be formally registered and begin its official operations.

The interaction programme was attended by DSP Nishesh Chapagain of Nepal Police, APF DSP Bikash Thapa, Tourism Office Kakarvitta Chief Chabilal Khatiwada, Publicity Officer Naroj Kattel, Gorkha Empowercare Foundation Chief Chandan Sitoula, social worker Babita Chhetri from Panitanki, and media professionals from both Nepal and India.

Participants expressed confidence that the Indo-Nepal Media Forum would play a vital role in strengthening media cooperation, improving the flow of credible information, encouraging joint efforts on shared border challenges, and further enhancing the longstanding friendship between Nepal and India.