India and Nepal have agreed to jointly combat criminal activities in and around the nearly 1800-km open border between the two countries PTI reports.

The two sides agreed to increase mutual support for controlling criminal activities - including human trafficking, fake currency racket, drug and arms smuggling and terrorism - during the Joint Secretary-level bilateral meeting on Indo- Nepal border management held in the scenic city of Pokhara .

The 15-member Indian side to the two-day talks was led by Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. A 16-member team led by Laxmi Prasad Dhakal attended the meeting from the Nepali side. Both sides comprised senior security officials, including those deployed in the respective bordering areas.

The Nepali side also drew India's attention on inundation of Nepali lands near border areas caused by Indian structures. The Indian side, in response, assured that they will study the issue and solve it in coordination with Nepal, Dhakal said.

The nearly 1800 km-long open border between Nepal and India has given rise to unchecked movement of anti-social elements who engaged in trafficking of drugs and women.

The meeting comes days after Nepal and India agreed to jointly monitor border pillars from March 11 as part of efforts to improve condition of the area reports PTI.