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Nepal has only two neighbors and yet struggles mighty hard to balance them. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba leaves for India shortly after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s Kathmandu sojourn. Wang’s visit was not very fruitful: the very basis of Nepal-China cooperation in recent times, the BRI, did not even find a mention in the subsequent foreign ministry statement. With no substantial achievement, the two sides tried to salvage the trip by announcing a slew of what are essentially meaningless agreements.

China is highly suspicious of the Deuba government, which it sees as pro-US. The Chinese also believe that the Americans are increasingly in cahoots with India to curtail China’s influence in South Asia and beyond. So Deuba’s trip south will be closely watched in Beijing. China understands that Nepal cannot afford to have bad relations with India. What it does not want is for Nepal to enter what it labels the ‘US-India nexus’ and thereby compromise Chinese security interests. Nepalis otherwise expect little from Deuba’s trip south.

New Delhi knows that with elections around the corner, Deuba could soon be out of its Nepal picture. Deuba for his part is unsure about what to discuss this time with India. Progress on some connectivity projects are still expected, including joint inauguration of the Kurtha-Jayanagar cross-border railway. But progress on long-pending projects like Pancheswar are unlikely.

Nepali prime ministers have traditionally made New Delhi their first foreign stopover after assuming office. The pandemic had delayed Deuba’s customary visit. Routines are important, especially in the case of India and Nepal that share extensive links. But precisely for the same reason there is also much expectation when the two leaders meet.

India still emphasizes the age-old ‘roti beti’ and civilizational links. But it has been reluctant to cover even the basics to improve ties, for instance by allowing more Nepali products into its markets, something that would enormously help Nepal as it struggles to balance its books. The EPG report has long been pending. Vital bilateral projects remain stalled. Nepal-China ties have suffered during Deuba’s latest tenure. But Nepal-India ties have not fared much better as well. Tragically, maintenance of the status quo will have to be seen as an ‘achievement’ of Deuba’s visit.

Step inside Kaidako Coffee at Narephant, Koteshwor, and you are greeted by a pleasant waft of freshly-roasted coffee beans. This heaven for coffee connoisseurs is run by Himalayan Arabica Coffee and Nepal Coffee Academy. Besides specializing in caffeine brews, Kaidako also serves vegan smoothie bowls and cold-pressed fresh juice with organic fruits and vegetables.

The place offers a homely vibe and it is disabled-friendly. The prices of food and drinks are affordable as well. The menu comes with a detailed description and tips on how to make your favorite dishes at home. If you crave tasty coffee, a rich fruity smoothie bowl, or a glass of fresh juice, Kaidako Coffee is for you.

Chef’s Special:

Vegan special smoothie bowl

Strawberry and mocha smoothie bowl

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Opening hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Location: Narephant, Koteshwor

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Seven-nation regional grouping BIMSTEC on Wednesday adopted a charter to expand its overall cooperation and firmed up a master plan for transport connectivity at a virtual summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the bloc, the Press Trust of India reported.

Shortly after the Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the adoption of the charter has given the BIMSTEC an “international personality” and it reflected a significant evolution of this grouping.

Besides India, the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

Rudrenda Tandon, the Additional Secretary in the MEA looking after the BIMSTEC division, said Modi announced USD 1 million (one million is equal to ten lakhs) as an ad-hoc grant for the operational budget of the grouping’s secretariat.

He said the summit, hosted by Sri Lanka, also finalised three documents providing for the expansion of cooperation, according to the Press Trust of India .

At a media briefing, Tandon said the leaders of the BIMSTEC member countries also approved a complete reorganisation of the grouping’s cooperation activities.

Henceforth, the BIMSTEC cooperation activities will take place in seven pillars and each of the member countries will lead one pillar, Tandon said.

He said India will lead the security pillar of the BIMSTEC.

From our perspective the signing of the charter is the most important outcome, Tandon said, adding the Summit made “incremental progress” in further expansion of cooperation among the member states.

In his address, PM Modi proposed that the pace of cooperation be accelerated and the grouping should not rest after the adoption of the charter, the Press Trust of India reported.

Tandon said the prime minister also spoke about the need to move forward in areas of connectivity, marine cooperation, security and economic integration.

India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) were not moving forward for a variety of reasons, according to the Press Trust of India .

Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka paid a courtesy call on President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the latter’s office in Colombo on Wednesday.

On the occasion, the President recalled the long-standing warm and cordial relations existing between Nepal and Sri Lanka and underscored the need to further strengthen economic ties for mutual benefit, read a statement issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Colombo.

Khadka commended the President and the Government of Sri Lanka for successfully hosting the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit and stressed the importance of promoting cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, connectivity, energy, and people-to-people contacts in the region.

Later today, the Foreign minister also held a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka.

The two ministers discussed the matters of mutual interests, including pandemic recovery, economic partnership, cultural contacts, and regional cooperation, the statement read.

Foreign Minister Khadka will leave Colombo for Kathmandu tomorrow morning.

Nepal defeated Malaysia by six wickets in the Tri-Nation T20 Series on Wednesday. 

Nepal reached the target of 115 runs set by Malaysia in 13.4 overs overs at the loss of four wickets.

Asif Sheikh scored highest 57 runs off 38 balls by hitting one six and seven fours. 

Dilip Nath, who made his debut in the T20, contributed 15 runs of seven balls hitting three boundaries. 

After the second consecutive victory, Nepal's chances of reaching the final have become stronger.

In the first match, Nepal thrashed Papua New Guinea by 15 runs. 

This is Malaysia’s first defeat. Malaysia had also defeated Papua New Guinea in their first game. 

Rohit Paudel scored 12 runs. 

Later, Asif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee made 70 runs in partnership. 

Earlier, Malaysia, who decided to bat first after winning the toss, scored 114 runs in allotted 20 overs by losing eight wickets. 

Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each for Nepal while Airee claimed one wicket.

Likewise, Abinash Bohara and Kushal Malla took one wicket each.

Nepal will play their third match against Papua New Guinea on Thursday.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 40.68 points to close at 2,568.25 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index increased by 8.13 points to close at 480. 06 points.

Meanwhile, a total of 4,502,511 unit shares of 232 companies were traded for Rs 2. 25 billion.

In today’s market, all sub-indices saw green. Development Bank topped the chart with 144.35 points.

Meanwhile, Emerging Nepal Limited was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. NCC Debenture Fund was the top loser as its price fell by 2 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalisation stood at Rs 3. 64 trillion.

Brief rain with lightning is likely to occur in some parts of the country in the next three days. 

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, brief rain with lightning is likely to occur today at some places of Province 1, Madesh Province, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province of the country. 

Likewise, the weather will be partly to generally cloudy in Province 1, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province of the country.

There are chances of brief rain with lightning in one or two places of Province 1, Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province.

Now, the country witnesses a general influence of a low-pressure system based in the surroundings of Bihar and the impact of local wind.

The Division has urged one and all to take precautions against rising temperature in the southern plains.   

According to the Division’s latest details, the minimum temperature in the Kathmandu Valley was 17.2 degrees Celsius and the maximum 26.4 degrees Celsius. 

Likewise, Jumla reported the lowest 6.2 degrees Celsius and Nepalgunj recorded the highest 25.5 degrees Celsius across the country today. RSS

Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes scored a clinical double as they beat stubborn visitors North Macedonia 2-0 to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar after a tense European playoff tie on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Roared on by 50,000 fans at a sold-out Dragao Stadium in Porto, Portugal dominated the game from the start but struggled to break down the strong North Macedonian defence, managing only three shots on target despite having almost 70% possession.

Fernandes opened the scoring 30 minutes into the first half after intercepting a pass by his best friend, North Macedonia captain Stefan Ristovski, working a great one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo before whipping his shot past the goalkeeper.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder sealed Portugal’s win in the 65th minute, striking home a volley from a Diogo Jota cross, according to Reuters.

Fernando Santos’s team then ran down the clock, celebrating at the final whistle with their joyful fans who remained in the stands for more than 15 minutes after the game, singing as the players completed a victory lap holding a huge Portugal flag.

“I don’t care about individual accomplishments but this display will be one to remember because it helped my country to reach a World Cup,” Fernandes told reporters.

Portugal, who won the 2016 European Championship in France and the 2019 UEFA Nations League at home, qualified for a sixth straight World Cup finals and have now not missed a major international competition in the last 20 years.

“I have already won two competitions and I hope I can win the third one in Qatar,” coach Santos told a news conference.

“There was a spirit of mutual help and great support from the public. It was a deserved and fair win and qualification. I don’t remember any great goalscoring situations for their team.”

They were pushed into the playoffs after finishing second in Group A, having lost their final game at home to Serbia 2-1 last November, Reuters reported.

That had left them needing to win two consecutive elimination games to qualify, with last week’s win over Turkey, where they survived late drama, setting up a decider against North Macedonia, who had stunned Italy in their opening match.

It was a nervous occasion in Porto on Tuesday but Portugal dominated and avoided any surprises from the underdogs, who did not have a shot on target, according to Reuters.