Kathmandu, October 27:

Minister of Home Affairs Krishna Prasad Sitaula today said the SAARC nations has decided to extend cooperation in regional-level for effectively combating terrorism and drug trafficking.

Speaking to journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon returning home after taking part in the Second Meeting of SAARC Interior Ministers held on October 25 in New Delhi, Sitaula said the meeting decided to strengthen institutional mechanisms aiming to facilitate closer co-operation and more frequent interaction and regular exchange of information among the law enforcement agencies of the member states to effectively combat terrorism and drug trafficking.

Sitaula said the next meeting of SAARC Interior/Home Ministers would be held in Islamabad in February 2008.

He also said that matters relating to elimination of criminal activities along Indo-Nepal border were discussed in a meeting with Indian Minister for Home Affairs Shivraj Patil. He said India was of the opinion that constituent assembly election should be held at the earliest.