KATHMANDU: On June 2, 2025, the Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) held a seminar in Kathmandu titled “Terrorism in South Asia and its Implications for Nepal.”

The event brought together experts and policymakers to discuss Nepal’s growing security vulnerabilities due to regional terrorism.

CESIF Executive Chairperson and former Ambassador to Denmark Vijay Kant Karna opened the seminar, citing Nepal’s exposure as a potential transit point for terrorism, referencing past incidents like the IC 814 hijacking.

Former Foreign Minister N.P. Saud warned, “Vulnerabilities are no longer only at others’ homes—we are also open to them,” and stressed that Nepal’s immigration system lacks coordination and security integration.

MP Raj Kishore Yadav criticized Nepal’s silence on the Pahalgam attack, saying, “Nepal should have been more assertive and explicitly sided with the victim side.”

Former Chief Secretary and National Security Adviser Shanker Das Bairagi said Nepal’s credibility suffers due to poor implementation of its international commitments. “Immigration and intelligence are our weakest links,” he noted.

Former Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations in New York, Durga Bhattarai, added, “Terrorism anywhere is terrorism everywhere,” questioning Nepal’s lack of consistency in extradition efforts.

Former Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dinesh Bhattarai, highlighted that terrorism in the region is often religiously targeted, stating, “Hindus are the clear target.”

In the second panel, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Binoj Basnyat called Nepal’s current security strategy inadequate: “We must revisit the way our security is maintained.”

Former Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya said, “Nepal should have clearly sided with India” after Pahalgam and used the opportunity to build trust.

Writer Amish Mulmi argued that terrorism affects Nepal indirectly through its migrant population, adding, “Counterterrorism efforts should have clarity in response.”

Scholar Apekshya Shah called for better intelligence coordination and academic capacity to counter radicalization.

All speakers agreed that Nepal must move beyond neutrality and symbolic condemnations, and proactively invest in legal, diplomatic, and institutional counterterrorism measures.

The seminar included policymakers, security analysts, civil society actors, and international representatives.