B’desh Ambassador Choudhary holds meeting with Energy Minister Khadka

KATHMANDU: Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Salahuddin Noman Choudhary held a courtesy meeting today with Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka.

According to the Minister Khadka’s Secretariat, the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, focused on various issues related to energy cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh.

Minister Khadka highlighted the vast potential of hydropower in Nepal and the growing energy needs of Bangladesh.

He noted that this meeting was instrumental in deepening the energy cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister expressed optimism about the upcoming meeting of the two countries’ secretaries and joint secretaries.

This meeting is expected to address and resolve several key issues, including cooperation on large hydropower projects, securing Indian agreement on the international transmission line, and initiating electricity trade.

Additionally, Energy Minister Khadka announced that a historic tripartite electricity trade agreement involving Nepal Electricity Authority, Bangladesh Power Development Board, and India’s Electricity Trade Corporation would be signed soon.

This agreement is set to facilitate the export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian transmission line during the rainy season, marking a significant advancement in electricity trade between the two countries.

Minister Khadka also expressed confidence that the embassy would take necessary steps to finalize a joint venture agreement between Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board for the development of the 680 MW Sunkoshi Reservoir hydropower project.

Ambassador Choudhary noted that Bangladesh is eager to advance energy cooperation by signing a 40 MW power purchase agreement soon.

He assured that Bangladesh would support Nepal in the development of power generation, trade, and transmission lines.

Furthermore, he highlighted Bangladesh’s success in maximizing agricultural output through advanced irrigation methods on limited land.