Kathmandu, Jan. 5
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, N.P. Saud, and
Minister for External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, jointly
inaugurated Tribhuvan University Central Library building, constructed with
Government of India's grant assistance, on Friday morning.
Likewise, the two Ministers also inaugurated virtually 58
post earthquake reconstruction projects, including educational institutions,
health facilities and cultural heritages, completed under Indian assistance,
informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) through X.
Indian External Minister, Dr. Jaishankar was on a two-day
official visit of Nepal to participate in the seventh meeting of the Nepal
India Joint Commission, high level mechanism between the two countries that reviews
the overall relations between them.
Earlier on Thursday, the Joint Commission Meeting
deliberated upon various bilateral issues and signed some agreements in
presence of the foreign ministers of Nepal and India, Saud and Dr. Jaishankar
who co-chaired the meeting.
Agreement between the two countries include the
implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal
with an increased budget of up to Rs. 200 million from earlier Rs. 50 million
Long Term Power Trade to facilitate in increasing the export of power from
Nepal to India to 10,000 MW within a decade, and launching Munal Satellite
developed by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
The power trade agreement was signed between the energy
ministries of Nepal and India, while agreement on HICDP was signed by Nepal's
Finance Secretary, Dr. Krishna Hari Pushkar, and Indian Ambassador to Nepal,
Naveen Srivastava. Likewise, the agreement on the launching of satellite was
signed between NewSpace India Limited and NAST.
During the meeting on Thursday, a MoU for Co-operation in
the Renewable Energy Development between Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and
NTPC Limited was also signed.
The two foreign ministers also jointly inaugurated virtually
three 132 kV cross-border transmission lines between India and Nepal - the
second circuit of Raxaul-Parwanipur line, the second circuit of Kataiya-Kusaha
line, and the New Nautanwa-Mainhiya line. These infrastructures are supposed to
help in promoting enhanced power trade between the two countries.
Similarly, Nepal Electricity Authority and NTPC Limited of
India signed a MoU for cooperation in renewable energy development.
Similarly, the fifth tranche of the post Jajarkot-earthquake
relief supply provided by the Government of India was also handed over to Nepal
during the meeting. In addition, India will provide financial assistance
package of Rs. 10 billion for post Jajarkot-earthquake reconstruction.
According to the MEA of India, the relief package consists
of 200 prefabricated houses, 1200 blankets, 150 tents and 2000 sleeping bags
for the earthquake affected people in Nepal. Out of the 200 prefabricated
houses, 20 were handed over on Thursday and the remaining shall be handed over
in various tranches over the next few weeks, the MEA said in a statement.
Minister Dr. Jaishankar also paid courtesy calls to
President of Nepal, Ramchandra Poudel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal
'Prachanda', former prime minister and President of the Nepali Congress, Sher
Bahadur Deuba, and former PM and Chair of CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli.
He also met former PM and Chair of CPN(S), Madhav Kumar
Nepal, and leaders of other political parties, visited Cricket Association of
Nepal and worshipped at the Pashupatinath.
After completing his official visit to Nepal Dr. Jaishankar
left Kathmandu for Delhi on Friday.
He was seen off by FM Saud and Foreign Secretary, Sewa
Lamsal at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 6 January 2024.
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