External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set for a bustling itinerary during his visit to Kathmandu for the seventh Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting on Thursday. The day-long visit will see Jaishankar co-chairing the meeting with his Nepalese counterpart N.P. Saud, as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu.
The meeting is poised to evaluate the overall status of bilateral relations and explore opportunities for collaboration across multiple domains. A comprehensive list of over three dozen agenda items will be on the table, covering topics ranging from border issues, trade, commerce, economic cooperation, energy, connectivity, and India-funded projects in Nepal, to discussions on agreements inked during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's 2023 visit to India.
Officials reveal plans for the signing of two significant agreements during Jaishankar's visit. These include a long-term energy cooperation pact and India's proposal to augment funding for small development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs). The long-term energy agreement is a follow-up to the commitment made during Dahal's visit to India, where the nations agreed to facilitate the import of 10,000 megawatts from Kathmandu over the next decade.
Three 132 KVA transmission lines will also be jointly inaugurated during Jaishankar's visit, enhancing connectivity between the two nations. These transmission lines include the Raxaul-Parwanipur line connecting Bihar state, the Kushaha-Kataiya line, and the Nautanwa-Mainahia line connecting Uttar Pradesh.
A team from India's Ministry of Energy is currently in Kathmandu to negotiate medium and long-term energy agreements. The anticipated 10,000-megawatt power trade agreement is slated for signing by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of India's Ministry of Energy, and Gopal Sigdel, Secretary of Nepal's Ministry of Energy, in the presence of both countries' foreign ministers.
In a significant move, Nepal is expected to approve India's proposal to increase the budget for small local projects. The budget adjustment will elevate funding from the existing Rs 50 million per project to Rs 200 million per project.
The visit will conclude with Jaishankar paying courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Dahal, and other top leaders. A dinner hosted by N.P. Saud in honor of the visiting dignitary and his delegation will mark the end of the eventful trip.
(With Agency Inputs)
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