External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar virtually handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage projects to Nepal under the Reconstruction programme following the 2015 earthquake, after meeting his visiting Nepali counterpart, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, in New Delhi.
During the meeting, both leaders jointly launched the linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface, aimed at facilitating cross-border personal remittances.
The two ministers also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University to co-create Nepal’s National Digital Infrastructure for a ‘Voice First’ Language Translation platform.
Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to work with Nepal for the mutual progress, prosperity, and well-being of the people of both nations.
In his opening remarks during the meeting, the External Affairs Minister said: “India and Nepal collaborate closely to maintain security along their long and uniquely open border and the two countries have always stood by each other in times of need. India and Nepal share a very special relationship, one that is built on a strong foundation of vibrant people-to-people ties, cross-border connectivity, and shared cultural and religious traditions.”
He further conveyed best wishes for the success of the government in Nepal and highlighted the strong complementarities between the objectives outlined by the Nepal government and India’s initiatives in the neighbourhood. Dr. Jaishankar noted that bilateral ties have steadily developed in areas such as trade, commerce, investments, energy, development cooperation, education, disaster response, and culture, adding: “Today both sides have an opportunity to also take it forward in many other areas, in newer domains like startups, AI, information technology, renewable energy, and others.”
In a social media post, Dr. Jaishankar stated: “There was a detailed discussion on the unique partnership, including on development cooperation, connectivity, energy, especially hydropower development, education, health, capacity building, digital, culture and sports. I reiterated India’s commitment to work with Nepal for mutual progress, prosperity and well-being of the people of both countries.”
Responding, Mr. Khanal said: “India is Nepal’s most important partner and Nepal has placed the highest priority to India. Nepal and India are not merely two countries but stakeholders of a proud ancient civilization.” He also thanked India for the supply of fuel and fertilisers amid the West Asian crisis.
Mr. Khanal is on a three-day visit to India.
