SikhAid distributes relief materials in Thulo Syafru

Kathmandu, Sept. 20

Flood relief supplies from SikhAid Charitable Trust, Cuttack, India (Sikh Aid) have been distributed to the people affected by the devastating Bhotekoshi flood in Dhunche of Rasuwa, on Saturday.

The aid has been taken there on Saturday with coordination and facilitation from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) to support families affected by the devastating flooding in the Bhotekoshi River.

In coordination with NRNA, SikhAid has provided relief materials to 110 affected families in Thulo Syafru of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality–1. The relief package includes 10 gas cylinders, 110 gas stoves, 110 sets of kitchen utensils, 200 blankets and 110 pressure cookers.

The NRNA informed in a statement that a SikhAid team travelled to Thulo Syafru by helicopter on Sunday morning and distributed the relief materials in coordination with the local government and other concerned stakeholders. The team also included Urken Chhiring Tamang, ward chair of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality–1.

Of the relief materials, 90 sets were provided to the most severely affected and economically disadvantaged families in Thulo Syafru, 10 sets are kept for additional needs in Thulo Syafru, and 10 sets are allocated for a monastery in Dhunche. The monastery is also being provided with the materials to support the funeral rites and religious ceremonies of people who lost their lives in the floods.

"NRNA has provided necessary guidance and coordination to SikhAid founder Raunak Singh and the volunteer team, who arrived in Nepal from India with the relief materials, regarding the situation in the affected areas, local needs and the relief distribution process," read the statement.

NRNA is also coordinating and facilitating arrangements with local governments and concerned agencies, as well as transport management, to ensure that the relief materials reach the affected settlements.

Earlier, NRNA and SikhAid had held discussions on providing relief and humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the Bhotekoshi floods. During the discussions, the two sides agreed to cooperate in ensuring that relief distribution was based on local needs and priorities and that available resources reached affected families effectively, the NRNA said.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 21 September 2026.    

Minister Wagle meets Indian counterpart

Kathmandu, Sept. 17

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle and his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman held a meeting at the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi.

Dr. Wagle's secretariat informed that the two ministers led their respective delegations. Nepali delegation included Joint Secretary of the MoF Amrit Lamsal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gehendra Rajbhandari, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi Dr. Surendra Thapa, Economics Minisetr of the Embassy Tara Nath Adhikari and Under Secretary Kanchan Basnet.

However, the details of the discussion have not been made public.

FM Dr. Wagle reached New Delhi on Thursday morning on a 3-day visit at the invitation of the Indian government. This visit is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two neighbours on economic, political and diplomatic fronts.

On Friday, DR. Wagle will participate at a high-level diplomatic dialogue, organised by the former foreign secretary of India Shyam Sharan, as the chief guest. He is scheduled to hold a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishanakar on the same day.

Likewise, he will participate in a programme organised by Indian Trade Promotion Organisation on Friday, and by Confederation of Indian Industries and Delhi School of economics on Saturday.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 18 September 2026.    

FM Dr. Wagle holds diplomatic dialogue

Kathmandu, Sept. 18

Dr. Swarnim Wagle held a diplomatic dialogue in New Delhi on the second day of his visit. He addressed a high-level Diplomatic Roundtable held on Friday at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi.

He is on a 3-day official visit to India.

The event was attended by former Indian Foreign Secretary and former Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran, senior Indian National Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh, former National Security Adviser and former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, and representatives of business, trade and other organisations.

Earlier, on Thursday, Dr. Wagle held a delegation-level meeting with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 19 September 2026.    

India's ambassador holds farewell meeting with FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Sept. 16

India's ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava held a farewell meeting with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) at Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

On the occasion, FM Khanal praised his role in further deepening and broadening Nepal-India relations, the Minister's Secretariat informed in a statement.

He talked about significant progress in energy cooperation, trade, infrastructure and connectivity between Nepal and India, as well as people-to-people relations between the two countries.

He also expressed gratitude for India's solidarity with Nepal following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River and for its prompt assistance in search, rescue and relief efforts after the disaster.

The Minister expressed confidence that Shrivastava would continue to remain a good friend of Nepal.

Likewise, ambassador Srivastava expressed his appreciation for the support and cooperation he received from the Nepal government during his tenure. He said he was confident that Nepal-India relations would become deeper and stronger in the coming days.

 Published in The Rising Nepal on 17 September 2026.    

'Old baggage refers to freeing diplomacy from internal divide'

Kathmandu, Sept. 15

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that the government is fully committed to conducting Nepal’s foreign policy with the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and long-term national interests at its core.

Addressing the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday, he said his remark during his visit to India that the 'current government has no old baggage' referred to freeing foreign policy and diplomacy from the internal political polarisation and narrow political weaponisation seen in the past. He stressed that the remark was not directed at Nepal’s history, national legacy, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, national interests or the preservation of historical state documents.

Lawmaker Sita Thapaliya had asked what the remark meant, which decisions of previous governments constituted 'baggage', whether the decision to incorporate the map covering Lipulek, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura into the constitution was considered 'old baggage', and what mistakes had been made in previous governments’ foreign policies.

In response, FM Khanal said his 'old baggage' remark during the India visit needed to be understood in its proper context and diplomatic sense. He said the term 'baggage' naturally carries a negative connotation, referring to burdens or obstacles from the past.

"My remark was intended to convey that the government wanted to move away from internal political polarisation and the parochial political weaponisation of foreign policy and diplomacy," he reiterated.

He said it would be an exaggeration to interpret the remark as being contrary to the continuity of the state and government or the state’s legacy.

According to him, the 'baggage' of the past, referred to the improper practice of using relations with neighbouring countries as instruments for domestic political gain or loss, which the current government was determined to abandon.

FM Khanal further said that the remark was not directed at Nepal’s glorious history, national legacy, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, protection of national interests or preservation of historical state documents.

"Nepal’s political map incorporating Lipulek, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, and the constitutional amendment endorsing the map, represented a unanimous decision of parliament and a shared national commitment of the Nepali people," he maintained.

He said the current government wanted to give Nepal’s relations with neighbouring and friendly countries a transformative direction based on mutual equality, respect, trust and economic partnership, without being constrained by prejudice, narrowness or unnecessary distrust.

“Achieving the country’s economic prosperity through clear, mature and results-oriented diplomacy while placing national interests above all else is the clear vision of the current government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Khanal said.

He said Nepal had always accorded high priority to relations with its neighbours and friendly countries, adding that high-level visits played an important role in strengthening bilateral ties. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 16 September 2026.    

Sikkim volunteers distribute Relief items to flood vicitms

 Kathmandu, Sept. 3

The Sikkim-Nepal Relief Volunteer Team is distributing relief materials in Nuwakot to support people affected by the Bhotekoshi flood.

A 35-member relief and volunteer team from Sikkim, formed with the support of Sikkim Chief Minister PS Golay, reached Nuwakot on Thursday. The team is scheduled to distribute essential items, including medicines, food, solar lamps, tarpaulins, mattresses and sleeping bags, to flood-affected families, it informed in a statement.

Sonam Norgey Lachumpa, who leads the team, said the relief campaign was organised to provide immediate necessities to families affected by the disaster.

The relief campaign was coordinated by Minister for Innovation and Science and Technology Mahabir Pun, Nepali Congress federal lawmaker Sandip Rana and young entrepreneur Tika Bhandari. Hari Krishna Dahal, founding president of the Lions Club of Ranjana Brothers, coordinated the local arrangements for the relief team.

Lachumpa said that, following the example of former Sikkim chief ministers Manik Kumar Subba and Nar Bahadur Bhandari, who showed concern for Nepalis living in different parts of India, current CM Tamang has been playing a supportive role for Nepalis living across India.

He said Golay is expected to visit Nepal in the near future with additional relief assistance.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 4 September 2026.   

Modi, Xi call PM Shah

Kathmandu, Aug. 26

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to PM Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods.

"The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts," PM Modi wrote in his post on X.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to use their full capacity to search for and rescue people missing after floods and landslides in the Nepal-China border area, according to Xinhua.

It said that the floods and landslides have damaged the Kerung border area in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. Reports also say the Chinese port area near the border suffered major damage and loss of property and people.

Likewise, Embassy of the USA and Embassy of Pakistan in Kathamndu, through separate messages, expressed their sorrows, and condolences to the families and people who lost their lives in the disaster. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 27 August 2026.   

Foreign experts on tunnel rescue, DNA analysis begin work

Kathmandu, Aug. 30

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that tunnel rescue experts from India, China and Republic of Korea have been mobilised, in coordination with the Nepali Army, to rescue the persons trapped in tunnels of hydropower projects in Rasuwa.     

"The situation is being effectively handled by unified teams of our security and other agencies. Our agencies are working with specialised technical teams for tunnel rescue from India (11 people) and China (9 people) and Republic of Korea," Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai informed at a press meet organised at the Ministry on Sunday.

The government has also received airtight bags for the management of the dead bodies and more are also being delivered. A team of 18 forensics experts from India specialising in DNA analysis has also arrived.

The government is coordinating for additional experts and equipment for the same. However, it is yet to make any estimates for the people trapped in the tunnels of the hydropower projects.

Meanwhile, Rai also expressed concerns over false reports circulating in national and foreign media that Nepal rejected international assistance and support.

"We have requested international support only to cater particular purpose such as tunnel rescue team at this rescue and relief state. We will require a significant level of support in the phase of reconstruction," he said.

He informed that the government has asked for freezers to preserve dead bodies which is a top priority. Support and expertise are also sought for DNA testing, for which, the country needs about 1000 freezers and several personnel for DNA testing.

With regard to the government’s priority for the search, rescue and relief operations, Prime Minister Balendra Shah is engaged in coordinating and supervising this operation.

He had telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, while Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal talked to his counterparts and dignitaries of India, China, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Venezuela and USA, among others.

 

Nepal continues to receive foreign support

Relief and humanitarian assistance are being provided in the affected areas. Nepal has received relief materials from India China and UAE and other countries. Essential items are also being received from the USA, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries and partners.

"As relief operations continue, further assessments are being made and we will reach out to our neighbours and international partners for additional assistance and support as needed," said Rai.

Given the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, houses, road networks, bridges and hydropower facilities, a detailed assessment of the needs is currently underway for the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA). "We anticipate requiring international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. As the assessment progresses, we will communicate specific requirements later," Rai said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the government is mobilising all resources at its disposal for the search, rescue and relief operations. Separate teams including security personnel, provincial and local governments, medical and emergency responders are continuously working together in the affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan Districts to locate, search, rescue and assist them who have been affected and need urgent help.  

It reiterated that the relief operations of the government continue to focus on providing immediate and all necessary assistance, including emergency medical care, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential supplies.

 

ECR coordinating for missing foreign people

Stating that in this hour of difficulty, the government continues its close communication and coordination with our immediate neighbours and international community, Rai said that the Emergency Control Room at the MoFA is coordinating with relevant agencies as well as with the families of missing foreign people.  

Nepal's diplomatic missions are also constantly sharing and updating verified information, and facilitating communication with families and extend any necessary assistance, identification and repatriation procedures.  

By Sunday, around 19,000 security personnel and 16 helicopters have been mobilised in the areas affected by the devastating floods occurred in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26.

In view of the rainy season and possible floods, the river systems and downstream flood risks are being continuously monitored. Our systems are on high alert for any additional flood risks and all required coordination is in place.  

Meanwhile, dead bodies and mortal remains have been buried temporarily and can be extracted and provided to the concerned family when they were identified in future, said Rai.

"Following standard and accepted protocols such as those by ICRC, the mortal remains of the dead – especially those not recognisable, amputated and decomposed due to longer time exposure to water – have been temporarily buried," he said.

Medical teams take DNA samples from every victim prior to the burial so that families can match records later, and will be allowed to exhume for necessary rituals.    

Published in The Rising Nepal on 31 August 2026.   

Govt asks for specialised support from India, China

Teams from both neighbours reach the site on Saturday

 

Kathmandu, Aug. 29

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Saturady that the government has asked for specific and specialised assistance from neighbours to further strengthen search-and-rescue efforts in areas such as opening the tunnels where people have been trapped.

Such support would be accepted in technologies that help Nepal locate people alive in the affected areas, quick forensic and DNA analysis and mortuaries to keep the bodies, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said at a press meet at the MoFA.

According to him, although security agencies and other response teams are currently handling the situation effectively, specialised support is sought to handle complex situation faced during the rescue as the operations continued.

An eleven-member specialised technical reconnaissance team for tunnel rescue from India has been mobilised and a tunnel rescue team from China has also arrived on Saturday.

Speaking at the first press meet following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River on last Wednesday, August 26, swept away people, residences and livelihood, FM Khanal said that the government has mobilised all available resources and efforts at its disposal for search, rescue, relief and recovery operations, with particular attention to people who remain missing, including both Nepali and foreign nationals.

"This is currently our national priority," he said.

The priority of the government is to save lives, locate missing persons, rescue them, provide urgent relief to survivors, and ensure that affected Nepalis as well as foreigners receive appropriate assistance and support.

The search and rescue teams including security personnel, provincial and local governments, medical and emergency responders are continuously working together in the affected areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Chitwan districts to locate, search, rescue and assist them who have been affected and need urgent help.

 

More support needed for reconstruction

According to the MoFA, relief and humanitarian assistance are being provided in the affected areas. The country has received more than 57 tonnes of relief materials from India. Essential items were also received from China, Japan, Australia and other friendly nations.

"As relief operations continue, further assessments are being made and we will reach out to our neighbours and international partners for additional assistance and support as needed," said FM Khanal.

Given the extensive damage to critical infrastructure, houses, road networks, bridges and hydropower facilities, the government is conducting a detailed assessment of the needs, and its report will be ready soon.

FM Khanal said that the scale of the devastation is quite significant, and the country anticipates requiring international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. He said,
"As the assessment progresses, we will communicate specific requirements later."

Expressing concerns over some false reports circulating in national and foreign media that Nepal has rejected international assistance and support, he clarified that the scale of devastation is extremely huge, and support and assistance are required, not just in the phase of rescue and relief, but more so in the phase of reconstruction.

According to the MoFA, relief operations are focused on providing immediate and all necessary assistance, including emergency medical care, food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter and other essential supplies.

The government is in close communication and coordination with 'our immediate neighbours and international community'.

As many foreign nationals are also missing, a dedicated Emergency Control Room has been established at the Ministry. "Our diplomatic missions are also constantly sharing and updating verified information, and facilitating communication with families and extend any necessary assistance, identification and repatriation procedures," said the Minister.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 30 August 2026.   

India, China, World Bank offer financial support

Kathmandu, Aug. 26

India, China and the World Bank have moved swiftly to coordinate financial assistance for the rescue, relief and reconstruction of flood-affected areas in disaster-hit Nepal, according to the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

Soon after news of the flooding emerged on Wednesday morning, David Sislen, the World Bank’s Country Director for Nepal, informed Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle that up to Rs. 25 billion could be mobilised from various sources as emergency assistance.

In the evening, India dispatched 10 tonnes of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and essential medicines to support Nepal’s response to the devastating floods. In the face of this challenge, India stands with Nepal and its people, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said in his post on X.

In response, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said, “India’s swift response reflects the strength of our bilateral partnership and mutual solidarity in this difficult hour.”

India has asked the government to provide a list of relief materials urgently required for flood victims. FM Khanal, while coordinating with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and other senior ministers, said preparations were under way to bring Indian relief supplies to Nepal.

Likewise, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to PM Balendra Shah and conveyed condolences on the loss of lives due to the floods.

"The people of India stand in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in Nepal at this difficult time. India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are coordinating closely on rescue and relief efforts," PM Modi wrote in his post on X.

Similarly, China has also decided to provide immediate cash assistance. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming has asked the Nepal government, through the Finance Ministry, to initiate the process for transferring the funds.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered authorities to use their full capacity to search for and rescue people missing after floods and landslides in the Nepal-China border area, according to Xinhua.

It said that the floods and landslides have damaged the Kerung border area in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. Reports also say the Chinese port area near the border suffered major damage and loss of property and people.

Expressing the government’s gratitude for the generous commitments of assistance from neighbouring countries and development partners, FM Dr. Wagle is coordinating with the relevant government agencies and holding discussions on the modalities for receiving and utilising the assistance.

The way has been cleared for mobilising both domestic and international assistance after today’s Cabinet meeting declared the affected municipalities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading 'disaster crisis areas'.

Likewise, the Embassy of the USA and the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathamndu, through separate messages, expressed their sorrow and condolences to the families and people who lost their lives in the disaster. 

Published in The Rising Nepal on 27 August 2026.   

Nepal a dynamic bridge between India, China: FM Khanal

Kathmandu, Aug. 7

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that Nepal can serve as a dynamic bridge in expanding economic, trade and people-to-people cooperation between China and South Asia.

Addressing the international conference on 'China and South Asia in a Multipolar World: China–India–Nepal Trilateral Relations in an Evolving Regional Order' in Lalitpur on Friday, he said Nepal has consistently strengthened its relations with both neighbouring countries independently, with sensitivity to each other's legitimate concerns.

The two-day conference is jointly organised by the Centre for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, China, and the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE).

FM Khanal noted that Asia's rapid economic transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity, adding that cooperation remains the most reliable pathway to sustainable development and long-term prosperity.

"Asia's transformation has created unprecedented opportunities for shared prosperity. Cooperation is the surest path to sustainable development and lasting prosperity," he said.

According to FM Khanal's secretariat, he stated that the continued economic rise of China and India has opened up new opportunities for neighbouring countries, including Nepal, in expanding trade, attracting investment, developing infrastructure and connectivity, promoting tourism, and strengthening broader economic cooperation.

He underscored that economic diplomacy lies at the heart of Nepal's foreign policy, with its primary objective being to improve the living standards of the Nepali people.

While noting that South Asia possesses enormous economic potential, FM Khanal observed that regional economic integration has yet to reach its full potential. He expressed the view that the region could achieve significant economic gains by enhancing connectivity, facilitating trade, increasing investment flows, and strengthening supply chains.

"The success of our cooperation should not be measured by how many agreements we sign, but by how many opportunities we create for our people," he said.

Minister Khanal also highlighted Nepal's abundant investment opportunities, citing more than 42,000 megawatts of economically viable hydropower potential, rich biodiversity, fertile agricultural land, and a rapidly expanding digital economy.

Nepal's soft power is reinforced by its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, including Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the spiritual legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, Sagaramatha (Mt Everest), and the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Emphasising the need to build partnerships founded on trust, mutual respect and shared interests in an increasingly multipolar world, Minister Khanal said Nepal remains committed to playing a constructive and positive role in advancing such cooperation.

The conference aims to foster academic dialogue and policy discussions on regional cooperation with a focus on trilateral connectivity, security, and emerging challenges in an increasingly multipolar world. The conference brings together around 30 speakers and academics, diplomats, policymakers, researchers, and strategic affairs experts from Nepal, China, and India.

Speaking on the occasion, Zhang Maoming, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Nepal, said that in recent years, under the profound change unseen in a century, old and new contradictions have intertwined.

"Regional conflicts have been erupting worldwide. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism are on the rise, posing severe challenges to peace and development. International order has suffered unprecedented erosion, and the world is at risk of sliding back into the law of the jungle," he said.

Meanwhile, South Asia has maintained overall stability and sustained economic growth, emerging as an indispensable rising force in global power structure. The development of South Asia vividly reflects the advancing multipolarisation of the world, and stands as a powerful testament to the advent of the ‘Asian Century,' said Zhang.

He stated, “Nepal, as a vital bridge linking China and South Asia, plays an irreplaceable role in enhancing connectivity and practical cooperation across this important region.”

Sumitra Karki, Director of NIICE, expressed confidence that the conference would generate meaningful discussions and strengthen scholarly cooperation among Nepal, China, and India on issues of regional significance.

The conference will feature eight thematic sessions over two days, covering issues including China and South Asia in a multipolar world, Nepal-China-India trilateral cooperation, bilateral relations among these countries, strategic competition and security, economic corridors and regional development, soft power and educational diplomacy, and Nepal's internal dynamics and foreign policy.

  Published in The Rising Nepal on 8 August 2026. 

NICCI, EEC host AI for Decision Makers

Kathmandu, Aug. 1

The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) and the European Economic Chamber (EEC Nepal), along with Bosch hosted 'AI for Decision Makers – An Executive Workshop for Leaders' on Friday.

“In today’s landscape, access to advanced AI technology is democratised, the differentiator now is strategic execution and leadership," said Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India and Managing Director, Bosch Limited.

According to him, real transformation occurs when organisations look beyond simple automation and combine AI with proprietary domain expertise, human judgment, and deep customer trust. The decisions regional leaders make today in building organizational capabilities will ultimately determine their competitiveness for years to come.

Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, and Udo Eugen Volz, Ambassador of Germany to Nepal attended the event supporting the promotion digital innovation, technology partnerships, and capacity building in Nepal's private sector.

On the occasion, a publication titled from 'Hype to Strategy - AI for Decision Makers,' prepared by Bosch, was also officially launched, the NICCI informed in a statement.

“AI is no longer a future concept; it is a business imperative. The goal of this workshop was to help leaders understand how to adopt AI responsibly and turn it into measurable value for their organizations.” said Sandeep Kamat, Country Head for Bosch in Nepal.

Prof. Dr. Sudan Jha, Member of the National Planning Commission, discussed the evolution of AI, its potential contributions to national development, how Nepal should adopt and integrate AI into its development agenda, and the initiatives the government has already undertaken to incorporate AI into its policies and strategic plans.

The sessions covered enterprise AI trends, high-impact AI opportunities, AI investments, Large Language Models (LLMs), AI governance, and actionable adoption roadmaps. Through interactive strategy exercises, senior executives from diverse sectors gained hands-on insights to seamlessly integrate AI into their long-term business planning.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 2 August 2026. 

Jimbu Thakali set to expand its service in India

Kathmandu, July 29

Jimbu Thakali, a Nepali restaurant brand known for Thakali cuisine, is set to open its first international outlet in Gurugram, Haryana, India.

The restaurant will begin operations from Shrawan 15 (July 31) at a commercial complex in Sector 65, one of Gurugram’s prominent commercial and entertainment hubs, the company informed in a statement on Wednesday.

Founder of the company Bibek Man Sherchan said the expansion into India is not merely a business expansion but the beginning of an initiative to introduce Nepali cuisine, culture and hospitality to international markets.

"The new outlet aims to offer Indian and international customers an authentic taste of Thakali cuisine while providing them with an experience reflecting Nepal’s culture, hospitality and Himalayan lifestyle," he said.

The new restaurant will feature a range of traditional Thakali dishes, including the Thakali Khana (lunch/dinner) Set, dhido, buckwheat-based dishes, gundruk, sukuti, and specialties flavored with Nepali jimbu and timmur.

According to the company, to preserve the authentic taste of the cuisine, indigenous Nepali ingredients and spices, including jimbu and timur, will be sourced from Nepal, while other fresh ingredients will be procured locally in India.

It said the menu has also been adapted to appeal to international customers, combining traditional Thakali dishes with a selection of popular Nepali delicacies. The menu will include chatamari, bara, various varieties of momo, gundruk soup, sekuwa, desserts made with juju dhau and khuwa yamari.

"The restaurant’s interior has been designed to reflect Nepali culture and architecture. Nepali woodcraft, traditional patterned windows, artistic pillars and other elements representing Thakali culture have been incorporated into the design," read the statement.

The new outlet will have a seating capacity of around 90 customers at a time. The same complex will also house a branch of Himalayan Java, a Nepali coffee brand that has already expanded its presence in India.

Likewise, it will use the system of IMS Software, a Nepali software company that has also expanded its services into India, for operations management.

Sherchan said the decision to work with Nepali brands and technology companies in the international market was deliberate, demonstrating that Nepali businesses can compete internationally while supporting and strengthening one another.

Established in 2016, Jimbu Thakali currently operates four outlets in Nepal, located in Kalimati, New Baneshwor, Jhamsikhel and Tangal.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 July 2026.         

 

Money changers, banks can exchange Indian currency now

Kathmandu, July 23

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) informed on Thursday that Nepali and Indian nationals can bring the Indian currency notes of 200 and 500 denominations issued and circulated from 9 November 2016 into Nepal, take out of Nepal and exchange here.

However, this facility is for up to a maximum of INR 25,000 per person.

Earlier, the NRB had said in January this year that Nepali and Indian nationals can bring in or take out Indian currency notes of 200 and 500 from Nepal.

But the notice then was silent about the exchange provisions. Now, people bearing the said currency notes up to INR 25,000 can be exchanged from the local money changers, commercial banks and the banks can get their collections exchanged from the central bank.

NRB Spokesperson Guru Prasad Poudel said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will accept the Indian currency from the NRB. It has cleared the confusion prevailing about the exchange of Indian rupee in Nepal.

The NRB also reiterated that Nepali citizens are not permitted to carry Indian currency to countries other than India, nor may they bring Indian currency into Nepal from any country other than India.

Furthermore, as published in the Nepal Gazette on 13 January 2026, no person may transact in Indian currency notes of 500 and 1,000 that were in circulation before 9 November 2016.

Likewise, the NRB said that Nepali and foreign nationals may bring into Nepal foreign currency in cash equivalent to up to USD 5,000 without making a customs declaration. In case of Indian currency, the same limit applies up to the equivalent of USD 5,000.

Likewise, for foreign currencies whose exchange rates are not published by the central bank, cash may also be brought in up to the equivalent of USD 5,000 without declaration. "Any amount exceeding this limit must be declared to the customs authorities and duly certified," the NRB said in the statement.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 July 2026.         

Nepal launches first rail cargo from Kolkata port to Biratnagar

Kathmandu, July 17

Nepal has launched its first rail cargo service from Kolkata Port to Biratnagar – capital city of Koshi province, marking the start of direct railway transportation of third-country imports to eastern Nepal through India under the Nepal-India Transit Treaty.

The service commenced on Thursday after India expanded the scope of its Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) regulations to allow cargo trains from Kolkata, Haldia and Visakhapatnam ports to reach Biratnagar Customs via Jogbani, the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata informed in a statement on Friday.

Until now, Birgunj was the only customs point in Nepal connected to Indian ports by rail for third-country cargo. The extension of rail services to Biratnagar is expected to facilitate regular movement of both containerised and bulk cargo to eastern Nepal and support trade by improving transport efficiency and reducing overall transit costs.

"The expansion was introduced through India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Notification No. 73/2025-Customs issued on 4 November 2025, which amended the Electronic Cargo Tracking System Regulations, 2019," read the statement. The amendment permits third-country imports destined for Nepal to be transported by rail directly to Biratnagar Customs, in addition to the existing rail link to Birgunj.

Following the amendment, Kolkata Customs issued Public Notice on 26 February 2026, setting out the procedures for transporting cargo by rail from Kolkata and Haldia ports to the Nepal Customs Yard at Biratnagar through the Indian Customs Yard at Jogbani.

According to the Consulate General, the inaugural consignment departed from Kolkata Port on a Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) freight train. It consists of 40 high-capacity 40-foot containers operated by Maersk Line carrying Canola Grain – Farmer Dressed, imported for Swastik Oil Industries in Nepal.

All containers are equipped with the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, informed the Consulate General.

The cargo will travel through the Jogbani Integrated Customs Check Post (ICP) before entering Biratnagar Customs Yard.

Officials from the Consulate General of Nepal in Kolkata, Kolkata Customs, Kolkata Port and the Container Corporation of India jointly flagged off the first train.

Once fully operational, the service will be capable of transporting up to 45 forty-foot containers in a single train directly to Biratnagar. Acting president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Surkrishna Vaidya said that it will help in Nepal's international trade with the reduction of cost and time.

"Entrepreneurs have long been demanding with the government of Nepal and India to launch such service in order to facilitate both the importers and exporters in Nepal," he said.

The new rail corridor is expected to reduce logistics costs for Nepali importers by lowering demurrage charges, container detention fees and road transport expenses. Rail transport is also expected to shorten transit time to around 24 hours from Kolkata to Biratnagar while providing an alternative to road freight.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 July 2026.         

Energy infrastructure in govt priority

Private sector seeks immediate development and upgrade of transmission lines for quality electricity supply

 

Lalitpur, July 16

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that, alongside increasing electricity generation, strengthening Nepal's transmission and distribution system has become the government's foremost priority.

Addressing an interaction programme on 'Challenges in Energy Infrastructure Development' organised by the Nepal Association of Financial Journalists (NAFIJ) in Lalitpur on Thursday, he said that the country's ageing and inadequate power infrastructure must be upgraded to cope with the rapidly growing demand for electricity.

Minister Shrestha said the government aims to complete the construction of 12 strategically important transmission lines during the next fiscal year. By the end of the current fiscal year, the total length of transmission lines operating at 66 kV and above is expected to reach approximately 7,048 circuit kilometres, with a further 800 circuit kilometres to be added in the following year.

He noted that despite sufficient electricity generation, weak transmission and distribution infrastructure has resulted in power outages and frequent tripping in recent days. Therefore, the government had placed infrastructure development at the centre of its energy policy, he said.

According to Minister Shrestha, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) has planned to allocate around Rs. 80 billion for electricity infrastructure in the fiscal year 2026/27. A substantial portion of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)'s internal resources will also be invested in developing and upgrading power infrastructure.

Similarly, he informed that the government has already begun implementing the Energy Consumption Growth and Export Strategy 2026. Nepal currently records per capita electricity consumption of around 460 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the government has set a target of increasing this to 1,500 kWh within the next decade.

Minister Shrestha also said that the recent Nepal-India Energy Secretary-level meeting held in Pokhara marked a significant milestone towards Nepal's long-term objective of exporting 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India. He said the meeting had reached important decisions on electricity trade and the expansion of cross-border transmission infrastructure.

He further revealed that the government is preparing to introduce a framework allowing the private sector to construct transmission lines and engage in electricity trading through a wheeling charge mechanism.

 

FNCCI highlights undeclared load shedding

President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Anjan Shrestha, said that despite the government's claim of having eliminated load shedding, industries continue to face undeclared power cuts and poor-quality electricity supply.

He said that industries, particularly those located in the Tarai region, are still unable to obtain electricity of the quality required for industrial operations.

He added that unstable voltage damages industrial equipment, raises production costs and disrupts manufacturing processes.

Shrestha observed that although electricity generation has increased substantially, inadequate expansion of transmission and distribution infrastructure has prevented industries from benefiting fully from the additional supply.

 

IPPAN calls for development-friendly forest policies

President of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN), Mohan Dangi, said that cumbersome administrative procedures and what he described as 'development-unfriendly' provisions in the Forest Act continue to pose major obstacles to Nepal's energy sector.

He expressed satisfaction that the Nepal-India JSC meeting held in Pokhara had agreed to expand electricity import capacity to 1,400 MW and export capacity to 1,650 MW, describing the decision as a major boost for the energy sector.

Despite billions of rupees of private investment in hydropower, he alleged that many projects remain stalled because of restrictive policies under the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

"Nearly 45 per cent of Nepal's land is covered by forests, around 15 per cent consists of high mountain regions, and extensive buffer zones and protected areas have affected projects with a combined capacity of nearly 19,000 MW," Dangi said.

He said that developers are currently required to obtain approvals from eight ministries, 24 departments and more than 200 agencies to implement a single energy project, discouraging investment through excessive bureaucracy.

 

CNI says poor infra undermining industrial growth

President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Birendra Raj Pandey said that although electricity generation has increased significantly, industries continue to suffer because transmission and distribution infrastructure has failed to keep pace.

He noted that Nepal's installed hydropower generation has recently reached 3,000 MW, with the private sector contributing more than 80 per cent of total production. However, inadequate improvements to transmission and distribution systems have prevented industries from fully benefiting.

Citing the CNI's Industrial Status Report, Pandey said that more than 60 per cent of industries still rely on diesel generators. Voltage fluctuations and frequent tripping continue to increase production costs across the industrial sector.

 

Banks invested Rs. 500 bn in hydropower

Nepal Rastra Bank Executive Director Guru Prasad Paudel said that banks and financial institutions still have substantial capacity to increase investment in Nepal's hydropower sector.

According to him, the outstanding loans extended by banks and financial institutions to the hydropower sector currently stand at around Rs. 500 billion.

"Banks have total outstanding lending of around Rs. 6 trillion. If they were to allocate up to 15 per cent of their loan portfolio to the energy sector, investment could reach Rs. 900 billion," he said. "This means that, even today, banks have the capacity to invest an additional Rs. 400 billion in the sector."

Paudel further said that central bank has introduced special regulatory concessions on the single obligor limit for infrastructure projects such as hydropower plants and transmission lines.

While banks are generally permitted to lend only up to 25 per cent of their core capital to a single borrower in other sectors, the limit has been increased to 50 per cent for energy projects. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 July 2026.         

Kratikal's IPO oversubscribed

Kathmandu, July 10

Kratikal Tech Limited, the India-based AI-powered cybersecurity company co-founded by Nepali entrepreneur Dip Jung Thapa, has achieved a landmark milestone with an impressive 205.08 times on the stock market.  

"Its Initial Public Offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by an impressive 205.08 times on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), marking what is believed to be the first listing of a venture founded by a Nepali entrepreneur on the Indian stock market," the company informed in a statement.

The IPO opened for subscription on June 30, 2026, and closed on July 2, 2026, receiving overwhelming investor confidence.

According to the company, founded in 2013 in Noida by three college friends — Dip Jung Thapa, Pavan Kumar, and Paratosh Kumar — Kratikal Tech Limited has grown into a trusted provider of cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

Thapa, a native of Khotang, Nepal, serves as Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer. A B.Tech graduate from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), he previously worked as a Product Manager at Paytm.

“Seeing our vision validated by such massive investor enthusiasm is deeply humbling. This IPO is not the destination, but the launchpad. With fresh capital, we are now geared to accelerate our global expansion, strengthen our innovative platforms, and create even greater impact in cybersecurity across borders,” Thapa said.

The spark for Kratikal Tech Limited came in 2013 when one of the co-founders had his email hacked. That personal incident highlighted a widespread need and inspired the trio to build practical, enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions.

Today, the company offers an AI-driven, SaaS-based security platform along with expert consulting and regulatory compliance services. Its solutions serve clients across key sectors including BFSI, fintech, telecom, IT/ITES, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and manufacturing in India and international markets.

Having raised funding from four angel investors since 2017, Kratikal Tech Limited is currently valued at approximately Rs. 3.23 billion. "Proceeds from the IPO will fuel aggressive global expansion plans, including entry into the United States and the Middle East," read the statement. The company has also partnered with GAP Technologies in Nepal to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities in its founders’ homeland.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 July 2026.        

NICCI, GITA sign MoU to promote trade partnership

Kathmandu, June 23

The Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Global Investment and Trade Advisors LLP (GITA), India, to promote trade, investment, institutional partnerships, and economic cooperation between Nepal and India.

“It is a shared commitment to strengthening cross-border business linkages, facilitating knowledge exchange, and creating new opportunities for investors and enterprises in both countries,” NICCI said in a statement.

Under the agreement, NICCI and GITA will work together on a range of initiatives, including business delegations, investment outreach programmes, sectoral engagements, policy dialogues, roadshows, and stakeholder consultations.

According to NICCI, the collaboration is designed to foster structured engagement between businesses, investors, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and development institutions, while encouraging greater participation in emerging economic opportunities across key sectors.

The MoU was signed by Marshal Rathour, Director at NICCI, and Priya Rawat, Managing Partner of GITA. Speaking on the occasion, representatives from both organisations emphasised the importance of stronger institutional cooperation in advancing Nepal-India economic relations. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 24 June 2026.   

Govt. serious about resolving tea export barriers, says FM Khanal

Kathmandu, June 19:  

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal said that the government is seriously concerned about the obstacles emerged in Nepal’s tea exports and that diplomatic dialogue is ongoing with the Indian side on the matter.

“We have already initiated discussions with Indian authorities to resolve the problems seen in Nepal’s tea exports. Concrete diplomatic efforts are being made to find a practical solution to the issue,” he said with the delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday.

According to information received from the Indian side, a resolution is expected soon, he said while noting that discussions are being held with the Indian side for long-term solutions to similar problems affecting the export of tea and other goods.

The FNCCI delegation, led by its president Anjan Shrestha, had urged FM Khanal to take diplomatic initiatives to resolve the existing barriers and complexities in tea exports to India. It drew the attention of the minister to the difficulties faced by Nepal’s tea industry due to new arrangements introduced by the Indian Tea Board.

The FNCCI, in a statement, said on Friday that the recently issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by the Tea Board of India has created further complications for Nepal’s tea exports. It stressed that there are no quality issues with Nepali tea and called for the matter to be raised strongly in bilateral trade mechanisms with the Indian side.

Shrestha said that as the tea sector, which has an annual turnover of around Rs. 12 billion to 14 billion, is in crisis, it would affect the wider economy and the livelihoods of millions. He urged the minister to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

The tensions began with TBI implementing mandatory laboratory testing of Nepal’s all tea consignments from May 1 this year. For the first three weeks, Indian authorities conducted random sampling, and the situation remained relaxed.

But after that, authorities in India collected samples of each consignment and sent them for testing, but no lab reports were issued, leaving the product stranded in Kolkata.

Exhibiting protests, 83 tea factories in Ilam and Jhapa halted operations on Thursday. Likewise, a delegation of the Nepal Tea Producers Association came to Kathmandu to find a solution with the government. More than 1,300 tonnes of tea produced in Nepal is stuck in the warehouses in Nepal and India.

According to the Association, this is a recurring problem and needs to be resolved once and for all.

The FNCCI also emphasised the need to establish an internationally accredited laboratory in Nepal for long-term solutions.

Deputy leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party parliamentary party Ganesh Parajuli, and Chair of the Industry Committee at the Parliament Rahbar Ansari, who were present on the occasion, said that both short-term and long-term solutions should be sought for such problems.

Likewise, Commerce Secretary Krishna Bahadur Rawat said that the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is also engaging through its channels to facilitate the process and expressed optimism that a positive outcome would be reached soon.

 

60,000 workers affected

According to the Nepal Freight Forwarders Association (NEFFA), with around 120 tea industries nationwide, thousands of farmers, and 50,000 to 60,000 workers directly dependent on the sector, the disruption has negatively impacted Nepal’s export trade, foreign currency earnings, and the overall economy.

Statistics from the National Tea and Coffee Development Board showed that Nepal produced 26,983 tonnes of tea, including orthodox, green tea, and other varieties in FY 2024/25.

Expressing serious concern over the recent complications in tea exports, one of Nepal’s key export commodities, and the procedural barriers seen in the Indian market, it said the situation has led to the closure of tea industries, particularly in eastern Nepal, and affected hundreds of tea gardens.

“Processed tea exported from Nepal to India has been held in warehouses for a long time on the pretext of laboratory testing and various technical procedures, disrupting production, distribution, and the entire export chain of the Nepali tea industry,” NEFFA said in a statement on Friday.

The Association noted that a significant share of Nepal’s total tea exports depends on the Indian market, and such barriers have adversely affected not only exporters and entrepreneurs but also the broader economy.

It urged the government to prioritise the issue and initiate immediate diplomatic efforts, including high-level dialogue with relevant Indian authorities, to remove procedural and technical barriers as soon as possible, ensuring smooth, simple, and uninterrupted trade.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 June 2026.   

SC issues order to treat people respectfully at customs points

Kathmandu, May 16

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued an interim order against the government that the law enforcement officials must behave and cause others to behave respectfully towards every individual while implementing the customs-related rules at the Nepal-India border points.

Issuing the order on Friday, joint bench of justice duo Hari Prasad Phuyal and Tek Prasad Dhungana directed the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Department of Customs to ensure that the law enforcement official's behaviour is not against the right to live with dignity as mentioned in the Constitution.

The Ministry of Finance had issued a notice a year ago to implement the provision to impose customs duty on goods worth above Rs. 100. The Customs Department had begun strictly enforcing the rule from April this year.

The petitioners, advocates Amitesh Pandit, Suyogya Singh, Prashant Bikram Shah and Akash Mahato from DJ Law Associates, had demanded an interim order directing not to immediately implement or cause the implementation of the provision.

However, the SC did not clearly say anything for or against the government's decision to impose customs duties on goods worth above Rs. 100 brought to Nepal from India via land routes.

According to the order, except for controlling the transportation of goods for commercial purposes or the criminal offence of smuggling, lawful import of medicinal items related to an individual's health, items of minimal necessity used in social relations, and minimal commodities purchased for the personal use of local residents of the border area should be respected.

But the SC said clearly that imposing customs duty is a sovereign right of the government (State).

It stated that the validity, relevance, and appropriateness of the limit of Rs. 100 specified by the MoF by publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette exercising the power conferred by the law, will be considered during the full hearing of the petition.

In their petition, the advocates had demanded appropriate orders including mandamus and prohibition not to create any hindrance or obstruction in bringing daily and monthly food supplies through the border checkpoints, to grant full exemption on any obstruction or duty on goods carried while travelling for marriage or visiting relatives, and to implement strict monitoring for smugglers.

Similarly, the petitioners argued that while individuals travelling by air are granted exemptions to bring one mobile phone handset, 25 grams of gold, and even a 32-inch television, and while at the Chinese Tibetan border points, exemptions are granted to bring goods through the checkpoints simply by verifying citizenship, it is evident that the government has discriminated people residing at the southern border.

Stating that the century old relations between Nepal and India has transformed the specific border regions into a distinct kind of Semi-Integrated Socio-Economic Zone, the petition maintained that for the people, the market across the border is of their own village, the hospital across the border is the health post of their own neighbourhood, and the relatives across the border are members of their own household.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 May 2026.