India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, currently on a two-day visit to Nepal, co-chaired the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission on Thursday with Nepal’s foreign minister, NP Saud, in Kathmandu.
The primary focus of the meeting was to review the state of bilateral relations and discuss various areas of mutual cooperation. Two significant agreements were signed during the discussions. The first agreement involves a long-term commitment to electricity, while the second aims to boost investment in High Impact Community Development projects.
The agreement solidifies the bilateral understanding to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to India over the next decade. The move reflects a commitment to shared economic growth and energy collaboration between the two nations.
Earlier in the visit, Jaishankar met with Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel and called on Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Expressing his joy at being back in Nepal for the first visit of 2024, Jaishankar shared his anticipation for engagements over the next two days.
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Established in 1987, the India-Nepal Joint Commission provides a platform for ministers to assess all aspects of the bilateral partnership. Jaishankar’s visit builds upon agreements reached during Dahal’s visit to Delhi in 2022, further strengthening diplomatic ties.
Nepal holds a priority status for India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, and this visit underscores the ongoing tradition of high-level exchanges between the two close and friendly neighbors, as emphasized by the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.