Indo-Nepal Media Forum exchanges concept papers in Kakarvitta, sets cross-border agenda

The Indo-Nepal Media Forum held an interaction programme at the Tourism Office in Kakarvitta in eastern Nepal on Monday afternoon. During the meeting, members exchanged concept papers focused on strengthening cross-border cooperation between journalists working along the India–Nepal border.

The forum, which was formed to improve collaboration among media professionals in border areas, presented a comprehensive 12-point concept paper. The document outlines objectives and a future roadmap for coordinated news and information sharing, research-based journalism, and dialogue on issues affecting communities on both sides.

Focus areas include reporting and transnational crime

The concept paper lists several priority areas. It aims to strengthen coordination among media professionals and encourage fact-based reporting on cross-border issues. It also includes environmental and social concerns, such as protecting forests, wildlife, and biodiversity, as well as addressing human-wildlife conflict in border communities.

Along with these, the paper calls for public awareness through media work against human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal trade. It also highlights solution-oriented journalism on social, cultural, economic, and humanitarian issues in the border region, linking reporting with practical problem-solving and community understanding.

Track-II diplomacy and joint coordination

The forum plans to build a common platform for dialogue among government agencies, local bodies, security forces, civil society organisations, and media institutions from both countries. It also intends to run capacity-building activities like workshops, study visits, and exchange programmes for journalists to improve professional skills and mutual understanding.

Organisers said the effort is also meant to support people-to-people ties and policy dialogue. They described the forum as moving beyond being only a media network, and toward functioning as a Track-II diplomacy platform that can contribute to peace, trust, safe cross-border movement, and sustainable development.

To implement the plan, a Joint Coordination Committee was formed on June 27. Prashant Acharya was appointed as coordinator for the India side, while Tirtha Sigdel will lead Nepal’s side. Prabin Adhikari has been assigned treasurer duties for Nepal, and Chandan Sitoula for India. The organisers also said the forum will soon be formally registered and begin official operations.