KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana, currently on a visit to Oman, met with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Sunday.
Minister Rana arrived in Muscat, the capital of Oman, to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference.
Minister Rana shared that she met with Jaishankar on Sunday evening, and both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Nepal-India relations.
During the meeting, they discussed recent bilateral engagements, exchanges of visits, and mutual cooperation between the two countries.
They also reviewed the progress made at the recent Commerce Secretary-level meeting in Kathmandu and the energy-related discussions held in New Delhi.
Minister Rana thanked the Indian government for its support in promoting the export of electricity from Nepal to India and, through India, to Bangladesh.
They also discussed the advancements in trade transit and water resource development between the two nations.
Minister Rana highlighted that the trilateral power trade agreement between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh is a significant achievement for Nepal’s energy sector, with India’s facilitation being pivotal.
The meeting also addressed the progress on the ‘modality’ of cross-border power trade.
They reviewed the outcomes of the Nepal-India Intergovernmental Committee meeting held in Kathmandu in January, including the operation of additional ports at Dhamra and Mundra.
Minister Rana commended the progress made by India in operating these additional ports, emphasizing that they will enhance border infrastructure, trade promotion, and connectivity between the two countries.
Both ministers also discussed the resolution of major technical issues related to the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project and the recent ministerial agreement to move forward with it positively.
Minister Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the progress on the Upper Arun Project and reiterated the importance of advancing the BIMSTEC organization collectively.
Minister Rana reaffirmed Nepal’s strong commitment to its relationship with India, stating that Nepal is always ready to collaborate with India for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The two ministers also touched on trade, transit, and water resource development issues, with Minister Rana expressing appreciation for India’s support in these areas and for Nepal’s development.
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