The paper explores the geopolitical factors influencing Nepal, which significantly contribute to opportunities for cross-border crime and thereby pose both internal and external security risks. It identifies different interest groups, both visible and hidden, operating within Nepal, each with their own agendas that unintentionally create opportunities for organized criminal networks. The study employs secondary data, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, to examine this issue.

In its findings, the paper underscores how Nepal's strategic location and its relationships with neighboring countries influence the proliferation of cross-border criminal activities. It emphasizes the interplay of supply and demand factors involving Nepal and its neighbors, demonstrating how geopolitical considerations contribute to the facilitation of organized crime through and within Nepal. The research also highlights how changing political and economic conditions in the region, combined with geographical factors, create fertile ground for the operations of organized criminal networks in Nepal. In essence, the study reveals that Nepal's geopolitical landscape, shaped by its relationships with neighboring states and internal interest dynamics, plays a crucial role in exacerbating cross-border crime, thereby impacting both national security and regional stability

considerations, dynamics, operations, proliferation, stability

Adhikari, B. S., Subbha B., Kalu, Osina Kachi Akuma (2020). Eco-Fearism: Prospects & Burning Issues. Xlibris.

Adhikari, B. S., Guragain., G.P., Sharma., B. (2022). YARSHAGUMBAISM. Xlibris.

Adhikari, B. S. (2020). Exotic Fearology. Xlibris.A. K.F. (2007) Analysing a world in motion Global flows meet Criminology of the Other Theoretical Criminology, 11 (2) 283-303

Balibar, E. (2002) Politics of the other scene London Verso 2004. We the People of Europe Reflections on Tranational Citizenship Princeton, NJ Princeton University Press

Baral, B.N. (2018) Changing dynamics of Nepalese foreign policy Patterns and trends. Journal of Political Science, 18, 25-45

Baral, L.R. & Pyakurel, U. (2013) India-Nepal open border. A field-based study on problems and prospects Kathmandu BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation

Baral, U.N. & Sahh, A. (2015) National security of Nepal. Threats, challenges and solutions. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1 (1), 1-11.

Blondeson, U. V. (2005). Crime and criminals in Nordic Countries. Society, 42 (2), 62-70

Brantingham, P & Brantingham, P. (1981). Environmental criminology. Beverly Hills: Sage.

Brun, M.A. (2010) Statement of Michael A. Braun, before the subcommittee on African affairs-"confronting drug trafficking in West Africa" In P. E. Daniels (Eds), Africa's connection to the drug trade (pp. 1- 8) New York Nova Science Publishers.

Carter, J & Jones, T. (1989) Social geography An introduction to contemporary issue. Banglore: Amold Publishers.

Chiara, B. (2009) Borders Paradoxical structures between essentialization and creativity. World Futures, 65 (8). 582-588

Coleman, A. (1989). Duposition and situation: Two sides of the same crime In Evans, J. & Herbert T.D. (Eds.), The Geography of Crime (pp. 108-134). London: Routledge.

Conway, D. & Wolfel, R. (2006) Geopolitical globalization: From world systems to global city systems. In Conway, D & Heynen, N. (Eds.), Globalization Contradictions: Geographies of Discipline,Destruction and Transformation (pp. 109-126). London: Routledge.

Das, P. (2008). Towards a regulated Indo-Nepal border. Strategic Analysis, 32 (5), 879-900.

Devetak, R. (2005). The globalization of political violence Globalization's shadow. In Devetak, R. & Christopher, W. H. (Eds.). London: Routledge.

Duyne, P.C.V. (1996). The phantom and threat of organized crime. Crime Law and Social Change, 24, 314- 377

Eagle, S. (1999). The language situation in Nepal Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 20 (4-5), 272-327

Housden, O. (2009) Nepal: A failing state or a state in transition? Research Paper, February. New Delhi: Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Houtum, H. V. (2010). Borders of comfort: Spatial economic bordering processes in and by the European Union Regional and Federal Studies, 12 (4), 37-58.

IAFP (International Alert and Friends for Peace). (2008). Youth perspectives on community security in the Eastern Terai youth perspectives on community security in the Eastern Terai. Kathmandu: International Alert

LAFP (International Alert and Friends for Peace) (2007) Youth speak out on community security in the Eavers Tera Kathmanda International Alert

International Crisis Group (2007) Nepal's troubled Turai region Kathmandu ICG. Asia report No. 136, July 9,2007

Kar, D. & Spanjen, J (2014) is financial flows from developing countries 2003-2012. Washington GFI (Global Financial Integrity)

KC. D. (2013) Social cases of Indo-Nepal cross-border crime Kathmandu Brother Books

KC, D. (20138) Crime and money in Nepal Kathmandu Brother Books

KC. D. (2018, April 18) Busting smuggling racket. My Republica, p. 7.

KC DK (2013) Social causes of Indo-Nepal cross-border crime Kathmandu: Brother Books

KC. DK (2013) Crime and money in Nepal Kathmandu Brother Books

KC, DK (2013), Nepal ma sangathat aparadh (Organized crime in Nepal) Kathmandu: Brother Books

KC. DK. (2016) Touth in Indo-Nepal crus-border crime (Doctoral dissertation) Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

KC, D.K. (2017) Labeled or learned? Youth in Indo-Nepal cross-border crime. Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology And Anthropology, 11, 164-183

KC, DK. (2017b) Fake currency racket in Nepal's Terai. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 20 (3), 262. 273.

KC, DK (2017) Bharat Nepal relations Defense and security issues. In Poudel, T. & Adhikari, D.K (Eds) (pp. 77-80) Kathmanda Neeti Anusandhan Pratisthan, Nepal

KC, DK (2017) Nepal Bharat relations Economic development and cooperation. In Poudel, T. & Adhikari, D.K. (Eds), (pp. 167-169) Kathmandu: Neeti Anusandhan Pratisthan, Nepal.

Lakshman, K. & Jha S. K. (2001) India Bangladesh Restoring sovereignty on neglected borders. SATP (South Asia terrorism portal) and Institute for Conflict Management. Retreived December 10, 2018, from http://www.sarp org alporgtp publication faultlines/volume14/Article7.htm

Lee, M.E. (1997) From enlightenment to chaos toward non modern social theory. In Eve, R.A., Horsfall, S. & Lee, M.E. (Eds.), Chaos, Complexity, and Sociology: Myths, Models and Theories (pp. 15-29). London: Sage

Lo, S. 1 (2009). The politics of cross-border crime in Greater China Case studies of Mainland China, Hongkong and Macao New York: An East Gate Book

Miklian, J. (2008) Nepal's Tarai Constructing an ethnic conflict. South Asia Briefing Paper 1. Oslo: International Peace Research Institute

Millett, R. L. (2007) Weak states and porous borders: Smuggling along the Andean Ridge. In Thachuk, K. L (Ed), Transnational Threats Smuggling and Trafficking in Arms, Drugs and Human Life (pp. 164 176). London: Praeger Security International

Nayak, N. (2011). The Madhesi movement in Nepal: Implications for India. Strategic Analysis, 35 (4), 640- 660

Nordstrom, C. (2004) Shadows of war. Violence, power, and international profiteering in the twenty-first century. London: University of California

Park, R. E. & Burgess, R. (1936). Human ecology. American Journal of Sociology, 42, 1-15.

Parthasarathy, G. (2016). Nepal and India Exploring new vistas. In Adhikari, D.K. & Paudyal, M. (Eds.) (pp. 134-138) Kathmandu. Neeti Anusandhan Pratisthan, Nepal.

SEESAC (The South Eastern and Eastern Europe clearinghouse for the control of small arms and light weapons). (2003) Cross border trafficking in South Eastern Europe: ssessing trafficking activi in the Southern Adriatic region, October 18, 2003, 13-14.

Shashikumar V. K. (2008) Pakistan's export of fake currency via Nepal. Indian Defence Review, 23 (4) Retrieved December 15, 2018, rom http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/pakistan- export-offake-currency-via-nepal/

Shrestha, BN. (2017). Border management of Nepal and security concern. In Poudel, T. & Adhikari, D.K (Eds.), Bharat-Nepal relations: Defense and Security Issues. (pp.261-272). Kathmandu: Nepal Anusandhan Pratisthan, Nepal

Sirseloudi, M. P. (2004). Early detection of Terrorist campaigns. In Schmid, A.P. (Ed.), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Forum on crime and society, 4 (1 & 2).

Skinner, BF (1953) Science and human behaviour New York Macmillan

Stucky, T. D. (2006) Local politics and violent crime in US cities. In Rosenfield R. (Ed.), Crime and Social Institutions (pp. 351-385) England Ashgate

Thachuk, KL. (2007) Transnational threats Smuggling & trafficking in arms, drugs & human life. London: Praeger Security International

THRDA (Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance) (2011, July). Small arms terror in Central Madhes Report July 2011

UNICEF (2009) Asessment of child protection concerns of children in Terai Districts. Kathmandu: UNICEF

Upreti, B. R. (2010) Proliferation of small arms and challenges to post-conflict state building In Upreti BR., Sharma, S.R. Pyakurel, KN & Ghimire, S. (Eds.), The Remake of a State Post-Conflict Challenges and State Building in Nepal (pp. 241-257) Kathmandu Kathmandu University.

Vlaesis, D. (2000). Cross border crime Long arm of the law. World Today, 56 (12) December, 10-11.

Watson, C & Crozier, R. (2009) Security for whom? security sector reform and public security in Nepal. Brussels International Alert

Wortley, R. (2008). Situational precipitators of crime. In Wortley, R. & Mazerolle, L. (Eds.), Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis (pp. 48-69) UK Willan Publishing

Yadav, S. R. (1992) Rural and agrarian social structure of Nepal. New Delhi: Common Wealth Publishers.