Jaishankar on two-day Nepal visit starting tomorrow, likely to ink pact on import of 10,000 MW of power

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to embark on a two-day visit to Nepal starting Thursday with the objective of enhancing collaboration in various domains, including hydro-power, connectivity, digital payments, and trade.

Anticipated during the visit is the signing of an agreement outlining the procedures that will enable Nepal to export 10,000 megawatts of power to India within the next decade, aligning with a joint decision made by the leadership of both nations in June.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has indicated that Jaishankar will jointly preside over a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission with his Nepalese counterpart NP Said. This gathering serves as the premier bilateral platform for an overarching review of the bilateral relationship.

“External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Kathmandu from January 4 to 5 on the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Nepal, NP Saud for co-chairing the seventh meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission,” MEA said in a statement.

In Kathmandu, the external affairs minister is scheduled to call on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987 and provides a platform for both sides to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.

“During the visit, the external affairs minister will also call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures,” the MEA added.

“Nepal is a priority partner of India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours,” it said.

Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old “Roti Beti” relationship.

The country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states -? Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services.

The Nepalese foreign ministry said Saud will also host a dinner in honour of Jaishankar and the members of his delegation.

“The Joint Commission Meeting will review the overall state of bilateral relations and various areas of mutual cooperation,” it said.

In June, Prime Minister ‘Prachanda’ visited New Delhi during which both sides signed several major pacts including one on increasing New Delhi’s import of power from the neighbouring country to 10,000 mega watt in the next 10 years from current 450 megawatt.

With inputs from agencies