Nepal-India Joint Commission Prepares for Crucial Meeting to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

As the seventh meeting of the Nepal-India Foreign Ministerial Joint Commission approaches, preparations have reached their final stages, with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar scheduled to arrive in Nepal for a two-day visit on Thursday. The Commission, considered the highest-level mechanism between the two nations, is set to delve into a range of critical issues in what is anticipated to be a milestone meeting.

The South Asian Division of Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with various ministries, is actively working on the preparations for the crucial meeting. Simultaneously, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi are diligently addressing the agenda items to be discussed during the visit.

Foreign Minister NP Saud revealed, “The ministry is doing homework on the agendas to be presented in the meeting. It will be decided within a few days.” The meeting is expected to cover diverse aspects and dimensions of the bilateral relationship, and sources suggest discussions on energy, infrastructure, bilateral cooperation, and the signing of agreements.

Homework is being conducted regarding India’s proposal to import 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal over the next decade. This proposal was announced during Prime Minister Dahal’s visit to India in May, and preparations are underway to finalize the details during the upcoming meeting.

In addition to energy cooperation, border issues and discussions on the Pancheshwar multi-purpose project are expected to be part of the agenda. The meeting gains significance as it marks the resumption of the Commission after a three-year hiatus, with the last meeting held in New Delhi in January 2021.

EAM Dr Jaishankar is set to engage in political meetings during his visit, including courtesy meetings with President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister and Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Congress Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba, and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also host a dinner in his honor on Thursday night.

This upcoming meeting follows persistent calls from Nepal for a Commission gathering, emphasizing the importance of such high-level diplomatic engagements. Besides energy cooperation and border discussions, it is anticipated that the meeting will address the progress of the Pancheshwar project, building on the expressed interest during Prime Minister Dahal’s visit to India last May.

The history of the Foreign Ministerial Joint Commission, initiated in 1987, reflects the ongoing commitment to reviewing all aspects of Nepal-India bilateral relations at the foreign minister level. As the Commission convenes once again, stakeholders from both nations are eager to witness the outcomes of this pivotal diplomatic engagement.