Kathmandu, Jan 4 – S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, landed in Kathmandu on Thursday for a two-day visit, primarily to co-chair the seventh Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting with his Nepalese counterpart N P Saud. This meeting, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, aims to comprehensively evaluate the state of bilateral relations between the two nations.
This visit marks Jaishankar’s inaugural foreign trip of 2024. The India-Nepal Joint Commission, established in 1987, serves as a vital platform for a thorough review of all dimensions of the bilateral partnership between the two countries. Emphasizing the significance of Nepal in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi stated, “The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbors.”
The Joint Commission meeting will encompass an extensive examination of Nepal-India relations, as conveyed by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amrit Bahadur Rai. Discussions will particularly focus on reinforcing ties and maximizing mutual benefits through an intensified partnership.
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to make courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda.” Additionally, he will engage with senior political leaders of Nepal. A dinner hosted by Nepalese Foreign Minister N P Saud in honor of Jaishankar and his delegation is also on the agenda.
This visit holds special significance as it marks Jaishankar’s first official trip to Nepal since Prime Minister Prachanda assumed office for the third term in December 2022. The anticipated highlight of the visit is the signing of an agreement outlining modalities that facilitate Nepal’s export of 10,000 megawatts of power to India over the next decade. This aligns with the decision made by the leaders of both countries in June of the previous year.
During ‘Prachanda’s’ visit to New Delhi in June 2023, several significant agreements were signed, including a pact to increase New Delhi’s power import from Nepal to 10,000 MW over the next 10 years, up from the current 450 megawatts.
Given the historical “Roti Beti” relationship and the strategic interests India holds in the region, Nepal continues to be a crucial partner for India. The extensive 1,850 km border shared by Nepal with five Indian states further underscores the depth of their connection.
