Kathmandu/New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday met with Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba who emphasized on the need for additional air routes between Nepal and India to improve connectivity.
The discussion, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also covered topics such as bilateral relations, economic aid, and various projects.
Nepalese FM Rana highlighted the operational challenges faced by Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports, which currently depend on the Simara route for flights, and urged India to consider new routes through Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar. The meeting also addressed India’s plan to set up a quality testing laboratory for fruits and vegetables at the Nepal-India border, MyRepublica reported.
Progress on the Pancheshwar Project was noted, with most issues resolved and the remaining matters to be handled by a technical group. Other discussions included water release from the Tanakpur Dam canal, flood control measures for the Badganga and Rapti rivers, and the Darchula bridge opening.
Both parties agreed to continue dialogue on trade and transportation. Dr Rana also thanked India for its support in rescuing victims of the Jajarkot earthquake.
FS Misri also paid a courtesy call on Nepalese Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
In the meeting held at the Singha Durbar-based Home Ministry, the two discussed matters of bilateral interest and concerns, according to the Home Minister’s Secretariat.
Acknowledging India as Nepal’s significant partner in security, infrastructure, energy, and water resources sectors, the Home Minister thanked India for its contributions to the enhancement of competency of Nepal’s security forces and the infrastructure development here.
The Nepalese Home Minister pledged that no activities against the neighbouring countries would be entertained in Nepali territory. “Nepal’s territory will not be allowed to be used for any activities against its neighbors.”
He assured of full security to investment from the Government of India in Nepal, underlining the need for scaling up mutual coordination and collaboration between the two countries to combat cross-border crime including drug smuggling, the Himalayan Times reported.
In response, the Indian foreign secretary spoke of the support and cooperation from India for effective management of borders, combating trans-border crimes, and ensuring the security of the citizens of both countries.
He highlighted that the Government of India is committed to lending its support regarding strengthening Nepal’s security and immigration administration.
The Indian foreign Secretary called Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar to discuss matters concerning urban development, waste management, restoration of cleanliness of Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers, and other sanitation-related issues.
They exchanged views on the possibility of collaboration between the two countries in addressing these issues. Taking reference to the ongoing Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission and the efforts to clean up the Ganga River in India, the Deputy Prime Ministers said India’s experiences in such efforts and technology used towards that end would be useful for Nepal. He called on India to collaborate with Nepal for the same, the Himalayan Times reported.
Apprising the Indian secretary of the inconveniences facing the Nepali citizens in trans-border movement between Nepal and India, the Minister said Nepal wanted India’s facilitation to construct a suspension bridge over the Mahakali River. He thanked the Government of India for its support to Nepal’s infrastructure development, during the earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting also focused on exploring potential support from India to Nepal’s urban development sector, according to Urban Development Ministry’s secretary Maniram Gelal.
During the meeting, Nepal proposed that India facilitate the construction of bridges on rivers along the Nepal-India border to implement Nepal’s mission to replace tuine (rope bridges), he said. The Indian side is positive, he added. The Indian foreign secretary said India is always with Nepal in its endeavors aiming to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity.
FS Misri also held talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sewa Lamsal.
In the meeting held at Naxal-based Hilton Hotel, matters relating to bilateral interests and concerns were discussed, according to Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Amrit Rai.
The two exchanged views on the need to review the overall dimensions of Nepal-India relations, discussing the best ways to move forward.
The meeting also touched on issues concerning regularizing meetings of various bilateral mechanisms between the two countries and potential strategies for the effective implementation of India-funded projects and programmes in Nepal.
Vikram Misri also paid a courtesy call on Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar today. On the occasion, they discussed various topics, including economic and development cooperation, expediting the construction of ongoing projects and the mutual relations between the two countries.
Foreign Secretary Misri paid separate courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday itself.
An Indian readout of FS Misri’s Nepal visit said:
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid an official visit to Nepal from August 11-12 at the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Nepal Sewa Lamsal. This was his first visit to Nepal after assuming office last month.
Foreign Secretary met his counterpart, the Foreign Secretary of Nepal today. Their wide-ranging discussions covered various aspects of the multifaceted cooperation between India and Nepal. Both Foreign Secretaries reviewed the progress made in various bilateral initiatives and developmental projects and discussed opportunities for further collaboration. The Foreign Secretary of Nepal also hosted a lunch for the visiting delegation.
Foreign Secretary Misri called on President of Nepal Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli yesterday. He conveyed to them greetings from the leadership in India and also briefed them on the progress being made in various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Today, Foreign Secretary also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak and Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba. Ways to further strengthen India-Nepal cooperation in a variety of mutually beneficial areas were discussed during these meetings, the statement said.
During the various engagements, both sides affirmed the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal which are deeply rooted in historical, cultural, civilizational and people-to-people ties. Both sides noted with satisfaction the substantial progress achieved in the recent years in bilateral cooperation, especially in the various areas of connectivity – physical, digital, energy as well as people-to-people, which is manifested in the steady implementation of infrastructure projects related to roads, bridges, Integrated Check Posts, cross-border railways as well as petroleum pipelines.
Both sides also appreciated the progress made in the mutually beneficial partnership in the field of power sector cooperation, which has seen substantial progress in the recent years. In this context, it was noted with satisfaction that the manifold increase in Nepal’s hydropower export to India in the last 2-3 years has created additional source of revenue for Nepal and of clean energy for India. The role of power sector cooperation in Nepal’s graduation from LDC status in 2026 was also highlighted.
Foreign Secretary also met other senior political leaders as well as members of the civil society of Nepal.
During the visit, Foreign Secretary, along with Mani Ram Gelal, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development of Nepal, also jointly inaugurated the ‘Nepal Bhasa Parishad’, a historical residential building associated with eminent Nepali poet, Kavi Kesari Chittadhar ‘Hridaya’ in Raktakali in the heart of Kathmandu’s old town. This is one of the 28 cultural sector reconstruction projects undertaken with Government of India assistance after the devastating 2015 earthquake.
Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighbourhood First policy. The Foreign Secretary’s visit continued the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and helped in advancing our bilateral ties further, it said.
