Nepal-India talks to focus on hydropower, infrastructure and connectivity

May 16, Kathmandu: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to be held this afternoon would focus on the construction of hydropower projects, development of the physical infrastructure of Nepal, and expansion of connectivity.

In the bilateral talks to be held between the delegations headed by both the Prime Ministers, matters related to overall mutual benefits and interests as well as enhancement of trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people relations would be widely discussed.

An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told that the agendas related to development assistance for infrastructure development of education and health sectors, trade facilitation, mutual benefits, collaboration, and partnership promotion would be emphatically raised in the talks.

Nepal’s Ambassador to India Shanker Prasad Sharma told that PM Deuba’s recent India visit and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed on the occasion would also be reviewed. Likewise, ideas would be exchanged on exploring measures to be adopted for the speedy implementation of the projects and initiatives, Sharma further explained.

According to the MOFA, the PM Deuba-led delegation comprises ministers for home, foreign affairs, physical infrastructure and transport, energy, culture, tourism and civil aviation, education, science and technology, chief secretary, foreign secretary, and Ambassador Sharma among others. Likewise, PM Modi-led Indian delegation comprises Foreign secretary, joint-secretaries of Ministry of external affairs, and Kathmandu-based Charge d’ affairs of Indian Embassy Namgya Khampa.