KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka met with Indian Minister for Water Resources CR Patil in New Delhi to discuss key bilateral water resource projects.
Minister Khadka, who is in India to participate in India Energy Week 2025, held discussions with his Indian counterpart at Shram Shakti Bhawan.
The meeting resulted in an agreement to complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project at the earliest and push forward its implementation, according to senior energy expert Prabal Adhikari from Nepal’s Ministry of Energy.
The two ministers also discussed finalizing operational procedures for the link canal from Tanakpur to the Nepal-India border, which has already been constructed. Both sides agreed to ensure water release as per the Mahakali Treaty.
Additionally, the meeting set a tentative schedule for the Joint Committee on Flood and Inundation Management to convene from March 22 to 24, with formal communications to be sent soon. The discussion also covered the need to advance talks on the DPR for the Saptakoshi Multipurpose Project through bilateral meetings.
Minister Khadka noted that the discussions held on November 5 had provided momentum for further cooperation in water resources between the two countries. Indian Minister Patil reaffirmed India’s commitment to finalizing the Pancheshwar project DPR and expediting its development.
The meeting was attended by high-level officials from both sides, including Nepal’s Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya, Joint Secretary Sandeep Kumar Dev, Economic Advisor Amit Shrestha, and senior Indian officials.
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