External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a 2 day visit to Nepal, which is his first Foreign visit of 2024. Jaishankar on X, shared, “Namaste Kathmandu Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024. Looking forward to the engagements over the next two days.”
Minister Jaishankar received a warm welcome from Nepal's Foreign Secretary and senior officials at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on X
Photo: PTI/ The Hindu
Earlier in the morning, right after his arrival in Kathmandu, Mr. Jaishankar, accompanied by an Indian delegation, paid a visit to President Paudel at the Presidential Office, Sheetal Niwas.
President Paudel, as conveyed by the source from the Presidential office, highlighted the importance of collaboration and cooperation between Nepal and India, with main focuse on connectivity, addressing climate change impacts, and advancing hydropower development, as reported by a source from the Presidential Office.
Mr. Jaishankar then called on Prime Minister Prachanda at his office, Singhdurbar, according to Foreign Ministry sources.
Jaishankar is in Nepal to co-chair the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with his counterpart NP Saud to assess bilateral relations and cooperation, as detailed in Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.
In a statement to The Kathmandu Post, NP Saud revealed plans to sign two agreements and inaugurate three cross-border transmission lines during the visit. Additionally, he mentioned over three dozen items on the meeting agenda.
The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987. It provides a platform for both ministers to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.
Photo: Nepal PMO/ The Print
Nepal's Foreign Minister NP Saud hosted a dinner to honour Jaishankar and his delegation, as per the statement from Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The leaders will deliberate on topics previously discussed during Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official visit to Delhi in 2023.
India and Nepal are set to sign agreements focused on long-term energy cooperation and the enhancement of funds for small development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs).
India considers Nepal a priority partner under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, as highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA stated in a release, "The visit aligns with the tradition of maintaining frequent high-level exchanges between these two close and friendly neighbours."
In June 2023, 'Prachanda' visited New Delhi, resulting in the signing of significant agreements, including one to increase New Delhi's power import from Nepal to 10,000 MW over the next decade from the current 450 MW.
Nepal holds strategic importance for India, as it shares a border of more than 1,850 km with five Indian states: Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
©️ Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
