Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, undertook an official visit to Nepal from August 11 to 12, 2024, at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary, Sewa Lamsal. This visit marked Misri's first trip to Nepal since assuming office last month.
Foreign Secretary Misri calls on Prime Minister Oli
Key Engagements and Discussions:
Meeting with Nepalese Counterpart: During the visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held extensive discussions with his counterpart, Sewa Lamsal. Their dialogue covered a wide array of topics related to India-Nepal cooperation, including a review of progress on bilateral initiatives and developmental projects. They explored opportunities for further collaboration, with Lamsal hosting a lunch for the visiting delegation.
Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal welcomes her Indian counterpart Vikram Misri
Calls on Leadership: Misri met with the President of Nepal, Ramchandra Paudel, and the Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, on August 11. He conveyed warm greetings from India's leadership and updated them on the progress in various aspects of bilateral cooperation.
Meetings with Key Ministers: On August 12, Foreign Secretary Misri met with 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. These discussions focused on further strengthening India-Nepal cooperation in various mutually beneficial areas.
Highlights of the Visit:
Affirmation of Relations: Throughout the visit, both sides reaffirmed the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal, deeply rooted in historical, cultural, civilizational, and people-to-people ties. They expressed satisfaction with the substantial progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in connectivity—physical, digital, and energy—and people-to-people interactions. This progress is reflected in the ongoing implementation of infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, integrated check posts, cross-border railways, and petroleum pipelines.
Power Sector Cooperation: Both sides acknowledged the significant strides in power sector cooperation. The increase in Nepal's hydropower exports to India over the past 2-3 years has provided Nepal with additional revenue and supplied India with clean energy. This cooperation is seen as a key factor in Nepal’s projected graduation from LDC status in 2026.
Cultural Engagement: Foreign Secretary Misri, alongside Mani Ram Gelal, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development of Nepal, jointly inaugurated the ‘Nepal Bhasa Parishad’ in Raktakali, Kathmandu. This historical building, associated with the eminent Nepali poet Kavi Kesari Chittadhar ‘Hridaya’, is part of the 28 cultural sector reconstruction projects funded by the Government of India following the 2015 earthquake.
Significance of the Visit:
Nepal remains a priority partner for India under its Neighbourhood First policy. Foreign Secretary Misri’s visit continued the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, further advancing their bilateral relationship.
Comments