Arrival and Reception Bharat External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, landed in Nepal on Thursday for his first visit of 2024. Welcomed by Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud, the two leaders engaged in conversations as they headed towards their car.
Minister’s Statement Jaishankar expressed his delight, stating, “Namaste Kathmandu! Happy to be back in Nepal for my first visit of 2024.” He eagerly looks forward to the engagements scheduled over the next two days.
Purpose of the Visit Scheduled from January 4-5, Jaishankar’s visit includes co-chairing the 7th meeting of the Bharat-Nepal Joint Commission with counterpart NP Saud. The meeting aims to review the overall state of bilateral relations and areas of mutual cooperation, as stated by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Joint Commission’s Role Established in 1987, the Bharat-Nepal Joint Commission serves as a platform for both ministers to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership. Apart from this, Jaishankar will meet Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’
Agreements and Discussions Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud revealed plans to sign two agreements and inaugurate three cross-border transmission lines. Over three dozen items are on the meeting agenda, covering connectivity, economic partnership, trade, transit, power, water resources, culture, and education.
Focus Areas and Follow-up Connectivity, economic partnership, trade, transit, power, water resources, culture, and education will be discussed. Matters agreed upon during Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s 2022 visit to Delhi will also be revisited.
Agreements to be Signed Following the Joint Commission meeting, India and Nepal are set to sign agreements related to long-term energy cooperation and an increase in funds for small development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs).
Nepal’s Priority in Bharat’s Policy MEA highlights Nepal as a priority partner under Bharat’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The visit is deemed crucial to maintaining the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two close and friendly neighbors.
Special Ties and Historical Context Bharat and Nepal’s unique ties are characterized by an open border and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts. The Bharat-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 continues to form the bedrock of the special relationship between the two nations.
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