Nepal Foreign Minister Deuba’s visit to India continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries
Nepal will export nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after meeting his Nepalese counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi on Monday (August 19, 2024). He went on to describe the development as a "new milestone".
 
According to EAM Jaishankar, their talks covered cooperation across diverse areas including energy, trade, connectivity and infrastructure development.
 
"Pleased to welcome FM @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal on her first official visit abroad.

Discussed the multifaceted India-Nepal cooperation including in energy, trade, connectivity and infrastructure development. Glad to note that Nepal will be exporting close to 1000 MW of electricity to India, a new milestone.
 
Our Neighbourhood First policy and unique people-to-people & cultural connect propels our relationship forward," EAM Jaishankar posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. 
 
Foreign Minister Deuba, on her part, thanked the Indian government for the latest approval of another 251 MW of power exports from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal to India, taking the total figure to 941 MW so far. She also expressed confidence that power sector cooperation between the two nations would achieve greater heights in the future.

"Thanks to the Government of India for additional approval of 251 MW of power export from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal to India during the wet season months on mid-term basis. With this quantum, I am delighted to mention that the Government of India has granted approval for the total hydropower export of 941 MW from Nepal to India so far. I am confident that power sector cooperation between the two countries will take more heights in the future," she said on X.
 
Foreign Minister Deuba described her meeting with EAM Jaishankar as “productive” and expressed the hope that her visit would further strengthen the centuries-old bond between Nepal and India.
 
“Had a productive meeting with @DrSJaishankar in New Delhi. We discussed bilateral interests, various aspects of Nepal-India relations, and the exchange of mutual cooperation. I am confident this visit will further strengthen the centuries-old bond between Nepal and India,” she said in an X post.

Regular High-Level Exchanges

 Foreign Minister Deuba’s visit comes a week after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s first visit to Nepal after assuming office which saw a series of high-level engagements aimed at providing a further impetus to the close bilateral partnership between the two neighbouring nations.
 
He met his counterpart, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal on August 12, 2024. Their wide-ranging discussions covered various aspects of the multifaceted cooperation between India and Nepal. “Both Foreign Secretaries reviewed the progress made in various bilateral initiatives and developmental projects and discussed opportunities for further collaboration,” the MEA said.

While in Kathmandu, Foreign Secretary Misri called on Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba. They discussed bilateral matters of mutual interest & ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors. Additionally, the Indian Foreign Secretary also called on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. 
 
Earlier this year, EAM Jaishankar visited Nepal for the 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting in Kathmandu on January 4, 2023. The meeting, which he co-chaired with Nepal’s Foreign Minister NP Saud, saw discussions on a wide range of issues like trade and economic relations, connectivity projects, and defence cooperation.
 
India-Nepal Development Partnership 

Bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal spans various sectors including trade, energy, water resources, health and education infrastructure, and cultural exchanges. Recent years have also seen a continued momentum in major infrastructure and connectivity projects in Nepal.
 
In 2017, India pledged to provide financial assistance of USD1 billion to Nepal for reconstruction in areas hit by the 2015 earthquake. This included a grant of USD 250 million for Housing (USD 100 million), Education (USD 50 million), Health (USD 50 million), and Heritage (USD 50 million). The remaining USD 750 million is in the form of a Line of Credit (LoC).
 
Additionally, since 2003, the Government of India has undertaken over 551 High Impact Community Development Cooperation (HICDPs) in Nepal across various sectors, completing 490 projects. These projects are part of the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' initiative.