Page 4 - India Nepal Ties

Govt pushes Nepal for speedy completion of projects funded by New Delhi

Ahead of Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar's visit to Nepal, India on Friday pushed for speedy completion of projects funded by New Delhi in the Himalayan nation. During a meeting between Indian envoy to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and Nepal's Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka at the latter's office, they also discussed about early completion of the detailed project report (DPR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, sources in the ministry said. The two also discussed Khattar's forthcoming visit to Nepal. Ambassador Srivastava urged Minister Khadka to facilitate the speedy progress of the projects run under Indian investment as he discussed various aspects of energy cooperation between Nepal and India, the sources added. Khadka extended thanks to Ambassador Srivastava for India's cooperation in power trade, construction of additional transmission lines, and progress made by hydro-power projects having Indian investment. Srivastava assured

India tops Nepal's tourist list in Jan despite decline in visitor numbers

India remains Nepal's largest source of foreign tourists in January, but the number of visitors from the country saw a slight decline in the month, according to official data released on Monday. Of nearly 80,000 foreign tourists who visited Nepal last month, 20,485 were Indians, the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) said. This marks a 15.1 per cent decrease compared to January 2024, when 24,139 Indians arrived in the country by air. Indian tourists primarily enter Nepal through border points, using road and vehicle routes, but NTB's records only account for those arriving by air. China, Nepal's second-largest tourism market, saw a contrasting trend. In January, 8,191 Chinese tourists visited Nepal, reflecting a 12.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The US ranks third among Nepal's top tourist sources. In January, 8,063 Americans visited the Himalayan nation, marking a 14.9 per cent increase from the previous year. Other key sources of tourists included Bangladesh

India, Nepal review progress of post earthquake reconstruction projects

India and Nepal held the 5th meeting of the JPMC on post-earthquake reconstruction projects on 27th January, 2025 in Kathmandu

R-Day 2025: PM Modi thanks world leaders for their wishes to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked world leaders for their wishes on India's 76th Republic Day. Thanking France President Emmanuel Macron, Modi said his presence at the R-day parade last year was a high point in the strategic partnership and enduring friendship between the two countries. "My dear friend, President @EmmanuelMacron, your kind greetings on India's 76th Republic Day are deeply appreciated. Your august presence last year on this day was indeed a high point in our strategic partnership and enduring friendship. See you soon at the AI Action Summit in Paris as we work together for better future of the humanity," he said in response to a post by Macron on X. In a separate post, Modi thanked Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin, saying, " I am confident that the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Ireland, based on the shared trust and belief in democracy, will continue to strengthen in times to come". India's rich cultural diversity, military prowess

Nepal's roadmap aims to generate 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035: PM Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Friday said the government has prepared a roadmap for generating 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035. Nepal currently generates around 2,500 MW of hydro power. Addressing a programme organised by Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) to commemorate its silver jubilee in Kathmandu, Oli said there was no need to worry about the sale of energy as the energy producers would find sufficient market for the energy produced by them. There is no need to worry about energy consumption as heavy industries like iron and steel and fertilizer plants are in the process of being established in the country and preparations are being made to operate the closed industries in a new modality, Oli said. The prime minister said that the government is also conducting research into producing green hydrogen energy within the country. Oli also invited the private sector as well as foreign investors to invest in hydropower sector saying that the government

India holds meeting with Nepal govt; wheat supply of 200,000 MT confirmed

This meeting of the IGC, a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties, carried out a comprehensive review of the whole gamut of bilateral trade and economic relationships

India, Nepal officials discuss border security ahead of Maha Kumbh, R-Day

Senior administrative officials from India and Nepal held a coordination meeting here on Saturday to discuss border security measures ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela and Republic Day, a statement said. The meeting, chaired by the District Magistrate of Bahraich and other officials took place at the Integrated Checkpost building in Rupaidiha, located along the India-Nepal border, it said. According to the statement the primary objective of the meeting was to bolster border security ahead of Maha Kumbh-2025, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, and Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Officials from both countries deliberated on joint strategies to curb cross-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal weapons trafficking, the statement said. They meeting also focused on prioritising the maintenance and repair of border infrastructure to ensure improved security, it added.

Surya Kiran: Indo-Nepal joint military exercise focuses on urban warfare

It focuses on counterterrorism and operations in challenging terrains, the exercise features rigorous training in jungle survival, urban warfare, heliborne operations, and ambush tactics

Signing BRI framework with China, Modi meeting key to stronger ties: Oli

Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday said the signing of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework agreement with China during his recent trip and his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly were important in strengthening bilateral relations. The 72-year-old Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leader said these meetings and visits have made meaningful contributions in strengthening Nepal's relations with neighbouring countries. Oli said this while presenting a political report at the central committee meeting of the party in Lalitpur. A balanced foreign policy based on mutual interest and equal benefits will be pursued keeping the national interest in focal point to further strengthen multi-faceted diplomacy, economic, social, cultural and trade relations with both the neighbours as well as all the friendly countries, Oli said. He also expressed his commitment to resolve the existing issues with the

18th Exercise Surya Kiran: India-Nepal joint military exercise commences

The 18th edition of Exercise Surya Kiran, a joint military exercise between India and Nepal aimed at enhancing interoperability and fostering collaboration between the two nations' armies, began on Tuesday. The annual training event is conducted alternatively in the two countries. The exercise, taking place at the Nepal Army Battle School, Saljhandi in the Shivalik ranges of Western Nepal, will be conducted till January 13. It "aims to enhance interoperability, primarily in the fields of Counter Terrorism (CT) Operations," according to an X post by the Indian embassy here. "Exercise Surya Kiran signifies the strong bond of friendship, trust and common military linkages that exist between India and Nepal," it said. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 334 personnel, is being led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles, according to a press release by the Defence Ministry in New Delhi. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operation

Nepal 2024: Shifting coalitions; new PM balances ties with India, China

The tradition of musical chairs continued in Nepal politics in 2024. Coalition equations changed yet again with a dispensation perceived as pro-China coming to power, a development India viewed with caution. K P Sharma Oli, 72, became prime minister for the fourth time to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability to the Himalayan nation. In July, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', 69, lost a trust vote as Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified-Marxist) withdrew support to his government after inking a new power-sharing deal with the largest party in the House led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. Under their deal, Oli will hand over power to Nepali Congress leader Deuba after 20 months. The year began with a visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Nepal in January, and Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba visited India as the year came to a close. Rana also visited earlier in August, a week after India's Foreign Secretary .

'Exercise Surya Kiran': 300 Indian Army personnel depart for Nepal

During the exercise, the soldiers of two nations will be able to share best practices, enhance interoperability and foster a stronger bond in conduct of joint operations

Nepal earns Rs 815 cr from electricity export to India in 5 months of FY25

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has exported electricity worth Nepalese rupees 13 billion (INR 8.15 billion approximately) during the first five months of the current fiscal year. According to NEA officials, about 1.76 billion units of electricity worth Nepalese Rs 13.04 billion have been exported to India from mid-July to mid-December of the current fiscal year 2024-25. Nepal has been exporting surplus electricity to India during the rainy season for the last few years, NEA spokesperson Chandan Ghosh said. The average rate of electricity exported to India in the five months is Nepalese Rs 7.39 (INR 4.63 approximately) per unit. The authority is selling the surplus electricity at competitive rates in the day-ahead and real-time markets of the Indian Energy Exchange and to the states of Haryana and Bihar as per the bilateral medium-term power sales agreement. As a result, the authority has earned INR 8.15 billion by selling electricity during the review period as the trading

Future full of challenges, says Nepal Army Chief at IMA passing out parade

The future environment for military leaders will be full of challenges due to the emergence of disruptive new technologies, said Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel as he reviewed the IMA's passing-out parade for the autumn course on Saturday. He called upon the gentlemen cadets passing out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) to be ready for such challenges and said they can embark on their exciting new journey with confidence, as they have received the best training available in the field. "The job ahead is not easy. You will face a future environment that is invariably multi-domain, multi-theatre, and multi-sectoral. The challenges will be multi-pronged due to the emergence of disruptive technologies, but you can go forth with confidence because you have received the best training," General Sigdel said, addressing the cadets. A total of 491 cadets passed out of the IMA on Saturday, including 456 from India and 35 from friendly countries. "Valour will carry you through ...

President Murmu confers honorary rank of General on Nepal's army chief

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred the honorary rank of 'General of Indian Army' on Nepal's Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel at a ceremony here. There has been a tradition of conferring the title of Honorary General on the Army chiefs of Nepal and India since 1950. The President "conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Indian Army on Suprabal Janasewashree General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army, at a special investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to further fostering Nepal's long and friendly association with India", her office said in a statement. General Sigdel commenced a significant visit to India on Tuesday, marking a key step in further strengthening defence ties between the two nations. His visit, which spans from December 11-14, underscores the ongoing efforts to further strengthen and deepen the defence cooperation between Nepal and India. Nepal's ...

1st India-Nepal Tourism meet held in Kathmandu to promote Mahakumbh 2025

The event organised with an aim to create B2B connections to foster implementation of circuit tourism between India and Nepal

Only grant projects accepted in Belt and Road Initiative: Nepali Congress

The Nepali Congress, which is part of the ruling coalition, on Monday said that the country can only accept agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) if they are based on grants. A meeting of the party's Central Working Committee held at the residence of party president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the BRI projects should not be financed through loans. The party's statement came days after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli visited China where the two countries signed the BRI Cooperation Framework. Following the meeting, Nepali Congress spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat told the media that the party's position remains unchanged BRI projects should be funded only by grants. Mahat said that during Prime Minister Oli's visit to China, the agreement for financing was referred to as an assistance and not a loan. He said any future BRI projects must follow this framework and be funded through grants. Nepal Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai inked the ...

Funded by India, foundation stone laid for Khamlalung Health Post in Nepal

The project aims to provide better medical facilities to the people of Nepal

China's Prez Xi praises Nepal PM Oli's commitment to promote bilateral ties

President Xi Jinping on Tuesday lauded visiting Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's commitment to promote China-Nepal relations and pledged to advance strategic ties with Kathmandu as both sides inked nine agreements. Oli arrived in Beijing on Monday on a four-day visit to China, his first official visit to that country after assuming office for the fourth time. Xi met Oli and expressed appreciation for the Nepalese leader's firm commitment to promoting friendship between the two sides over a long period, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. He also pledged efforts to advance the strategic partnership of cooperation with Nepal where Beijing has scaled up its investments in the last decade, expanding its influence in the landlocked country located between India and China. Xi said China and Nepal, linked by the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbours, good friends and good partners, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development. Noting that n

PM Oli to begin first foreign visit to China from Monday: MFA Nepal

Apart from formal engagements, the Nepali Prime Minister also will deliver a keynote address at Peking University. In addition, Prime Minister will address the Nepal-China Business Forum being jointly