KATHMANDU: The inaugural session of the Nepal-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, co-chaired by Foreign Minister NP Saud and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry, is currently in progress.

The Nepali delegation, comprised of the Foreign Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from the ministries of Commerce, Home, and Foreign Affairs, is engaging in discussions with Minister Sabry and the Sri Lankan delegation. The latter includes the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Kathmandu and senior officials from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

The agenda of the meeting encompasses key areas such as boosting trade and investment, enhancing air connectivity, fostering cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges, and promoting regional cooperation, including reinforcing SAARC and BIMSTEC processes.

Highlights of the discussions so far include deliberations on initiating an air connection between Kathmandu and Colombo, as well as exploring the possibility of a flight link between Colombo and Lumbini. The ministers also exchanged views on the transfer of three Nepali nationals imprisoned in Sri Lanka and addressed the serious impacts of climate change in their respective countries. Both emphasized the importance of climate justice, early operationalization of loss and damage funds, and increased international support.

In addition to ongoing talks, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Science, Technology, and Innovation is expected to be signed later today, marking a step towards strengthening collaboration between the two nations.