India’s EAM, S Jaishankar, to Arrive in Kathmandu on January 4 – Check Program Schedules

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, is poised to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to Kathmandu on January 4, with the purpose of participating in the Nepal-India Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission meeting. The visit, marking a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between the two nations, is set to strengthen ties and renew cooperation after a hiatus of nearly three years.

The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Jaishankar, includes Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Joint Secretary Anurag Srivastava, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Border Management division. They are scheduled to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport on January 4 at 10 am via a special plane of the Indian Air Force.

The visit comes in response to an invitation extended by Nepal’s Foreign Minister, NP Saud, underlining the significance of the highest bilateral mechanism between the two nations. The primary focus of the meetings will be to review and fortify the longstanding ties between India and Nepal.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Jaishankar is expected to engage in discussions with Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ Nepali Congress Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, and CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli.

A highlight of the visit will be a dinner organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing an opportunity for group meetings with leaders of parliamentary parties, chairmen of parliamentary committees, and top leaders of major political parties in Nepal.

The diplomatic talks are anticipated to yield the signing of memorandums of understanding, symbolizing a renewed commitment to cooperation between the two nations. Of particular note is the agreement for India to purchase 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal over the next decade, signifying a milestone in energy cooperation.

The visit is expected to enhance people-to-people connections and foster collaboration across various sectors, further solidifying the historical and cultural bonds shared by India and Nepal.