Kathmandu: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has expressed her hope that joint partnership and connectivity in various sectors between Nepal and India lay the foundation for shared prosperity between the two nations. Inaugurating the Nepal-India Strategic Dialogue in Kathmandu today, she underscored the need to speed up cooperation in trade, transit, and investment between the two countries and advance economic partnership through connectivity.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Dr Rana emphasized a future where Nepali products such as ginger could reach Indian markets like Mumbai within a day, and Indian tourists could easily travel to Pokhara from Delhi, highlighting the economic benefits of increased proximity. The Minister pointed to the age-old relationship between the two countries, built on shared values and cultural ties, as a strong foundation for enhancing cooperation and connectivity.
Dr Rana stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure, including roads, railways, air routes, and digital platforms, to enhance mutual connectivity. She noted that seamless connectivity would support regional and global supply chains and benefit the border economies of both countries. Furthermore, she highlighted the shift towards a knowledge-based economy and the need for joint efforts in digital economy, technology, modern education, and skill development.
The energy sector was spotlighted as a key area of cooperation, with Nepal’s hydropower potential offering a renewable energy source. Dr Rana mentioned India’s commitment to importing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal over the next decade, underscoring the strengthened cooperation in power sector development, including transmission interconnections and cross-border power trade.
Dr Rana proposed leveraging India’s expertise in digital innovation alongside Nepal’s young, tech-savvy population to promote tech hubs and start-ups. She called for joint efforts to address climate change challenges amid technological advancements and shifting geopolitical dynamics, expressing gratitude to the Government of India for its support in organizing the “Sagarmatha Sambaad” in Nepal.
Reaffirming Nepal’s dedication to peace, stability, and prosperity through partnerships, Dr Rana concluded that such dialogues are crucial for deepening Nepal-India relations, exchanging ideas, and strengthening people-to-people connections.