KATHMANDU: Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) and Center for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) organized the Third CLAWS-NIICE Annual Dialogue on Bonds That Bind: Physical, Cultural and Economic Connectivity between India and Nepal.
The first CLAWS-NIICE Annual Dialogue was held in Kathmandu in September 2019 on Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Issues in South Asia which was inaugurated by the former Nepalese Prime Minister of Nepal.
The second was held on “Soft Power Dimensions: India-Nepal Relations” virtually which was addressed by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defense Staff of India.
The outcome of the First CLAWS-NIICE Annual Dialogue is published as a Monograph which was released by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defense Staff of India last year.
At the inaugural of the dialogue, Research Director of NIICE, Dr. Pramod Jaiswal stated that Nepal and India have special relations and both the countries have supported each other for their development.
He also emphasized that India has played an important role in major political transitions and Nepalese leaders have also contributed to the freedom struggle of India.
Similarly, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Ahluwalia, Director of CLAWS highlighted that both the countries enjoy warm ties across the border and more than 32,000 Gorkha soldiers who are serving in the Indian Army which makes the relations very unique.
Dr. Jyoti M. Pathania, Chairperson, Outreach Committee and Senior Fellow, CLAWS highlighted that India-Nepal relations have historical, civilizational, traditional and religious connections.
During his presentation on Infrastructural Development between India and Nepal, Lt, Gen. (Dr.) Shokin Chauhan emphasised that both the countries should enhance infrastructure projects and both the countries should utilize their waters.
Talking on the Nepal-India cultural ties, Prof. Dr. Mina Vaidhya Malla stated that cultural linkages between the two countries are important soft power which should be enhanced for better relations.
Mohak Gambhir, Research Assistant, CLAWS spoke on India-Nepal Energy Cooperation and suggested that both the countries have immense potential to collaborate that can benefit both the countries.
Sunil Chaudhary presented his paper on ‘Strengthening the Economic Integration between Nepal and India” where he reiterated the fact that India is Nepal’s largest trading partner and recommended ways both the countries can reduce the trade deficit between the two countries.
Due to the pandemic, the dialogue was held virtually. The fourth CLAWS-NIICE Annual Dialogue will be held in New Delhi next year.
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