The Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) hosted a high-level seminar titled “Terrorism in South Asia: Challenges to Regional Peace and Security” in Kathmandu on Wednesday, highlighting the persistent threat posed by Pakistan-based terrorist groups to the region.
Sunil Bahadur Thapa, Advisor to Nepal’s President and former Industry Minister, underscored the dangers posed by UN-designated terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which have historical links to Al-Qaida. "These groups operate from Pakistan, threaten India, and could exploit Nepal as a transit route," he warned.
Former Nepali Defense Minister Dr. Minendra Rijal emphasized the spillover effects of terrorism, stating, "An attack on India will destabilize Nepal as well. Pakistan’s promotion of terrorism has paralyzed SAARC, stalled economic integration, and cost the region dearly." He called for global unity akin to the post-9/11 response to combat extremism effectively.
MP Chanda Chaudhary stressed curbing money laundering to disrupt cross-border terror financing, while former Minister Shisir Khanal praised India’s decisive actions, including ‘Operation Sindoor’, as setting a new benchmark in counter-terrorism.
Dr. Pramod Jaiswal, NIICE Research Director, labeled Pakistan the "epicenter of South Asian terrorism," citing its history of harboring militants. He referenced Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent admission that Islamabad "supported, funded, and trained terrorists for 30 years for Western interests."
The seminar, attended by diplomats, policymakers, and security experts, concluded with calls for stronger intelligence-sharing, joint border patrols, and an end to double standards in counter-terrorism efforts.
"In the fight against terrorism, we stand with India," affirmed former Nepali Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya, underscoring regional solidarity.
Over 150 participants, including academics and journalists, discussed Nepal’s vulnerability, citing past attacks like the IC-814 hijacking and the recent Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed.
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