KATHMANDU: Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has termed Nepal’s trilateral electricity trade agreement with India and Bangladesh a milestone in the country’s economic and energy sector.
Speaking at a meeting with officials of the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) today, he highlighted the importance of the agreement, which he had signed during his tenure as Prime Minister during an official visit to India.
Dahal described the deal as a historic step towards Nepal’s prosperity, emphasizing that increased hydropower production and regional trade would drive the country’s economic growth.
“I had signed the electricity trade agreement with India and Bangladesh after working hard. This is a milestone for the country’s prosperity,” he said. “We will be able to fulfill our dream of prosperity by qualitatively increasing hydropower production and selling it to India, China, Bangladesh, and others.”
The agreement outlines plans for exporting electricity to Bangladesh via India, along with a commitment to sell 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India over the next decade. Additionally, it includes discussions on exporting power to China.
Dahal stressed that Nepal must focus on increasing hydropower production to fully capitalize on these agreements.
“There is no alternative but to move forward by implementing the agreement. We must ensure that Nepal’s electricity reaches Bangladesh through India and that we meet our commitment to export 10,000 MW to India within ten years,” he said. “At the same time, we must also work towards electricity trade with China.”
The trilateral agreement is seen as a key development in Nepal’s energy diplomacy, opening new avenues for regional cooperation and economic growth. However, its successful implementation will require strategic investment, infrastructure expansion, and strong government commitment.
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