India boosts security along Nepal border

Sri Prakash Jaiswal's comments came after an announcement by the powerful Maoists fighting the constitutional monarchy in Nepal that they would work with radical leftists on the Indian side in their campaign to promote communism in the region.

"We are always worried about any violent groups becoming stronger in any of our neighbouring countries," Jaiswal told Reuters.

"On the India-Nepal border, we have increased the number of security posts and doubled the strength of the force but we want Nepal to solve its problem," he added. The number of troops guarding the border is now expected to rise to around 45,000.

India and Nepal share a 1,750-km border, with locals needing no visa to cross.

More than 12,500 people have died since the Maoists launched their campaign in 1996 to install communist rule in Nepal. They now control a vast swathe of the countryside.

On the Indian side, left-wing extremism has spread to nine states stretching from Bihar on the border with Nepal to Andhra Pradesh in the south. The rebels say their campaign, which has killed more than 10,000 people, is aimed at securing land for the dispossessed.

Rebels in the two countries have been helping each other out for some years, but the announcement to fight together has caused alarm.

Jaiswal said troops would be given armour-plated vehicles to protect them from landmines.