India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, is set to embark on a two-day visit to Nepal starting Thursday, aiming to enhance cooperation across various sectors such as hydro-power, connectivity, digital payments, and trade. During the visit, a key agreement is expected to be signed, facilitating Nepal’s export of 10,000 megawatts of power to India over the next decade. The visit includes the co-chairing of the seventh meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with Nepalese Foreign Minister NP Saud. This joint commission serves as the highest bilateral platform for a comprehensive review of the two countries’ ties. The visit aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, emphasizing the significance of Nepal in India’s strategic interests in the region.
The India-Nepal Joint Commission, established in 1987, offers a platform for both nations to assess all aspects of their bilateral partnership. S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ during his stay in Kathmandu. The visit underscores the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two neighboring countries and reflects the enduring “Roti Beti” relationship. Nepal, sharing a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states, is crucial for India’s overall strategic interests in the region. The landlocked nation heavily relies on India for the transport of goods and services.
The Joint Commission Meeting will cover a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and collaboration across various sectors. The visit builds on the positive momentum generated during Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’s’ visit to New Delhi in June, during which significant agreements were signed, including an increase in India’s power import from Nepal to 10,000 megawatts over the next decade. The visit reinforces the commitment to strengthening ties and fostering mutual cooperation between the two close and friendly neighbors.
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