Indian Foreign Minister to conclude his Nepal visit today

KATHMANDU: Indian Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, is wrapping up his two-day visit to Nepal this afternoon after participating in the seventh meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission in Kathmandu.

During his stay here, he engaged in a series of meetings and events, solidifying diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations.

On the first day of his visit, he held discussions with prominent Nepali figures, including President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ former Prime Ministers Sher Bahadur Deuba, KP Oli, Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud.

Continuing his diplomatic endeavors, the Indian Foreign Minister met with leaders from the Madhes-centric political parties on Thursday evening.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, S Jaishankar is set to return to India today, marking the conclusion of his two-day visit to Nepal.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the seventh Joint Commission (JC) meeting of Foreign Ministers from Nepal and India concluded in Kathmandu with the signing of four agreements.

Co-chaired by Foreign Minister NP Saud and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the discussions encompassed economic relations, connectivity, trade and transport, energy and water resources, education, culture, and political matters.

Various thematic areas were explored to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Following the JC meeting, officials from both countries signed agreements and memorandums of understanding in the presence of their respective foreign ministers.

These include a long-term power trade agreement for the purchase of 10,000 megawatts of electricity over 10 years, support for community development projects, the launch of a satellite developed by Nepal, and assistance for renewable energy development in Nepal.

The agreements and MoUs cover diverse areas such as the Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects, Long-Term Power Trade Cooperation in Renewable Energy Development, Munal Satellite launch, and the Handover of the 5th tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supply.

Additionally, the foreign ministers jointly inaugurated three cross-border transmission lines during the JC meeting.