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India has reiterated its position that border issues with Nepal will be resolved through bilateral mechanisms. 

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said: “We have a bilateral mechanism with Nepal to discuss these issues.” 

He further said: “Now, when you take some unilateral action, that does not mean that the situation on the ground will change or the reality will change.” 

So what is how we look these border issues that you pointed out, he said. The spokesperson was responding to a question asked whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and KP Sharma Oli during their meeting in Thailand discussed the border issues

Apple is shifting more of its iPhone shipments to the US from India in an effort to navigate the financial shockwaves caused by a fresh round of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The computer giant's stock has dropped 19% in three trading days, the largest decline in over 25 years, due to investor concern about rising costs from new tariffs on Chinese imports, according to Firstpost.

With tariffs of up to 54% on Chinese shipments, Apple has turned to India, where the equivalent rate is 26%. The move is intended as a short-term hedge while Apple seeks tariff exemptions, but the company has not yet overhauled its China-centric manufacturing network, which is still critical to its worldwide supply chain, Firstpost reported.

The U.S. slapped a 26% reciprocal tariff on India in a setback to the South Asian country's expectation of getting relief from President Donald Trump's global trade policy that has unnerved world markets for weeks, Reuters reported.

The reciprocal tariff will be effective from April 9, according to a statement from the White House.

Trump's Wednesday announcement on India was part of his wider plan to impose a 10% baseline tariff on all imports from April 5 and higher duties on certain other countries including 34% on China and 46% on Vietnam.

"They (India) are charging us 52% and we charge almost nothing for years and years and decades," Trump said at the White House while announcing the reciprocal tax.

The duty of 26% was based on tariff and non-tariff barriers including currency manipulation, the Trump administration said.

India imposed "uniquely burdensome" non-tariff barriers, the removal of which will increase U.S. exports by at least $5.3 billion annually, the White House said in a statement, according to Reuters.

India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries through a consultative, non-reciprocal, and results-oriented approach. Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs, emphasized in a statement to the Lok Sabha that India’s neighborhood policy is guided by the core principles of Samman (respect), Samvad (dialogue), Shanti (peace), and Samriddhi (prosperity). These principles shape India’s engagements, ensuring that partnerships are built on mutual trust and shared progress.

India’s development assistance and capacity-building initiatives are tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of neighboring nations, supporting their long-term economic growth. The minister highlighted that India’s contributions range from large-scale infrastructure projects to community-driven development, including financial, technical, and humanitarian aid. This multifaceted approach underscores India’s role as a reliable partner in fostering regional stability and prosperity.

In Nepal, India’s cooperation focuses on enhancing connectivity, economic collaboration, and energy and digital infrastructure, alongside cultural exchanges. A key component of this partnership is the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), which have delivered critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation facilities. While the initiative faced some challenges last year, it has since moved forward smoothly. Originally launched in 2003 as a modest program, HICDP was expanded and rebranded in 2024 to maximize its developmental impact.

With the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) remaining inactive, India has prioritized the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) as a more dynamic platform for regional collaboration. Margherita described BIMSTEC as a strategic convergence of India’s Neighbourhood First policy, Act East policy, and the SAGAR vision, which emphasizes security and sustainable growth in the Indo-Pacific. Through BIMSTEC, India is deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, security, connectivity, and digital innovation, while also promoting partnerships in health, education, and people-to-people ties. 

The upcoming BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 3-4 in Thailand, is expected to produce a vision statement outlining future regional cooperation. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has already left for Thailand to attend the summit, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also set to participate.

Margherita reiterated that India’s Neighborhood First policy is widely appreciated by partner countries, ensuring the continuity of assistance programs even amid political changes. She stressed that India’s relationships with its neighbors stand independently of their ties with other nations, reflecting the depth and resilience of these bilateral connections.

On national security, the minister affirmed that India remains vigilant, closely monitoring regional developments to safeguard its interests. He expressed confidence in the enduring strength of India’s partnerships and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing mutual benefits while protecting its strategic priorities in the region.

The 13th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Working Group (JWG) on Border Management (BM) was held in Pokhara, Nepal on March 27-28.

In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the decisions taken in the last JWG on BM that took place in New Delhi on 15-16 June 2022, particularly with respect to repair and maintenance of border pillars.

They also deliberated on issues related to trans-border criminal activities; strengthening of border infrastructure particularly ICPs, roads and railway-network; empowerment and capacity building of various security-related institutions; and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management.

The JWG on BM also reviewed progress on concluding the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the working of Border District Coordination Committee (BDCC) between the two sides.

The two sides agreed to ensure that the meetings of the JWG on BM are held regularly.

The Indian delegation extended an invitation to the Nepali delegation for the next JWG on BM to be held in India next year. Mihir Kumar, joint-secretary (Border Management), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, led the Indian delegation while Ramchandra Tiwari, joint-secretary (Security and Coordination), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, led the Nepali side. 

Four Nepalis died when a Scorpio Jeep heading towards India from Tulsipur of Dang for a pilgrimage met with an accident in India on Thursday.

The ill-fated four wheeler (UP 31 AC 7200) was en route to India from Tulsipur for pilgrimage when the tragedy occurred at Bahraich.

According to Ram Bahadur GC, Chairman of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-7, it has been reported that four persons including the driver Yuvaraj Chapagain (37) of Parseni, Tulsipur-7 died in the road accident in India.

The identities of three others are yet to be ascertained, he said.

There were nine people on the jeep.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, in Beijing on Friday, AFP reported.

The visit comes as Bangladesh seeks new allies in the wake of strained relations with India.

Yunus is on a four-day visit to China to strengthen ties and attract investment. He previously went to the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, according to AFP.

This is his first bilateral visit after taking office in August 2024, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations.

 Yunus is joined by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, High Representative Khalilur Rahman, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, and Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Whenever significant political developments unfold in Nepal, politicians are quick to draw connections to India. For instance, in 2021, when the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dissolved Nepal’s Parliament, his own colleagues accused him of acting under India’s influence. Senior leaders from major parties, including Pushpa Kamal Dahal, publicly urged India to “stand in favor of democracy” in Nepal, arguing that Oli’s move was an attempt to undermine the 2015 constitution.

At the time, many political leaders speculated that India’s influence extended to Nepal’s judiciary, suggesting that the Supreme Court might validate Oli’s decision to dissolve Parliament. However, the court overturned Oli’s move, reinstated Parliament, and directed the then President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as the new prime minister.

Fast forward to the present, and pro-monarchy forces are mobilizing to restore the monarchy and what they describe as “true democracy.” Once again, whispers within Nepal’s ruling party suggest that India might be backing this movement. According to The Kathmandu Post, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba raised this concern directly with her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, during a recent meeting. Jaishankar reportedly denied any involvement, and upon her return from India, Deuba stated that she sensed no intention from India to alter Nepal’s current political system.

Despite these assurances, some politicians have pointed to the presence of a poster featuring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as “evidence” of India’s support—a claim widely dismissed as weak and unconvincing.

Foreign Minister Deuba’s blunt and undiplomatic remarks have drawn criticism from strategic circles. In a recent internal meeting, senior leaders of the CPN-UML discussed the possibility of “foreign forces” supporting royalist movements. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal briefly alluded to external backing for the pro-monarchy campaign.

Political analyst Puranjan Acharya notes that while the Indian government may not officially support the monarchy, organizations like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its affiliate Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other Hindu nationalist groups have long advocated for Nepal to return to being a Hindu state. Acharya explains that while the Indian government is committed to secularism, these organizations are free to push their agendas in Nepal.

Arun Subedi, a foreign affairs advisor to a former prime minister, adds that while RSS and BJP may not directly support the pro-monarchy protests, India has become increasingly reactive to Nepal’s political developments due to geopolitical considerations.

Former Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae emphasizes that Nepal’s issues must be resolved by its own people and leaders. In an op-ed published in India’s Deccan Herald, Rae stated that it is not in India’s interest to take sides in Nepal’s internal affairs. He also cautioned the Indian media, which has a significant audience in Nepal, against engaging in partisan rhetoric.

Rae further argued that instability in Nepal is detrimental to India’s interests as a turbulent Nepal could provide opportunities for external players to increase their influence, thereby jeopardizing India’s strategic position. Historically, both the monarchy and communist forces in Nepal have fueled anti-Indian sentiments and sought closer ties with China. For example, in 2005, shortly after assuming absolute power, King Gyanendra attempted to facilitate China’s entry into SAARC during the Dhaka Summit.

Geopolitical analyst Chandra Dev Bhatta believes there is no evidence of Indian backing for the pro-monarchy protests. Instead, he attributes the growing support for the monarchy to widespread public frustration with Nepal’s major political parties, which have failed to deliver on their promises. Bhatta stresses that the protests are driven by internal factors rather than external influence.

Lalit Bahadur Ghalan, Chief, District Coordination Committee, Makwanpur and Shri Basist Nandan, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu jointly inaugurated the School Building of Shree Janakalyan Secondary School, Makawanpur built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the project cost of Rs 30 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation'.

Political representatives, government officials, social workers and teachers of the school, students and their parents were also present on this occasion. 

The Government of India’s grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ was utilized for the construction of the school building and other allied facilities.

The project was taken up as a High Impact     Community Development Project (HICDP) and was implemented through District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Shree Janakalyan Secondary School was established in the year 1968 as a primary school and was      further upgraded to a higher secondary school in the year 1985. This school has around 850 students, 54% of whom are girls. 

The Chief, District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur, Chairperson, School Management and other stakeholders appreciated the developmental support being provided by the Government of India to the people of Nepal.

They expressed confidence that the infrastructure created would help provide better education to the students of Shree Janakalyan Secondary School in Makawanpur. It would also help create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the overall development of the education sector in the region, according to the statement.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation.

 The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in growth and development of its people by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors.  
 

India is holding the 10th edition of Raisina Dialogue from March 17 to 19. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon will jointly inaugurate India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomis on March 17. Every year, leaders in politics, business, media and civil society converge in New Delhi to discuss the state of the world and explore opportunities for cooperation on a wide range of contemporary matters.

The dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia, according to the organizer. Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba is scheduled to address the dialogue, said Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   

Last year, then Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud attended and addressed the conference. Deuba is likely to meet here Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Raisina dialogue. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday offered to sell state-of-the-art fighter jets to India as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to ramp up trade, rekindling a bond that defies the new US administration's punitive approach to much of the world.

Modi, only the fourth world leader to visit the White House since Trump's return, described the fellow nationalist as a friend and told him he was adopting a take on his "Make America Great Again" slogan.

Trump said that he found a "special bond" with Modi and India and, in an uncharacteristic if ironic show of humility, complimented Modi as being a "much tougher negotiator" than he is.

Successive US administrations have seen India as a key partner with like-minded interests in the face of a rising China, and Trump announced that the new administration was ready to sell one of the top US military prizes -- F-35s.

"Starting this year, we'll be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars," Trump told a joint news conference with Modi.

"We're also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters," Trump said.

India would join an elite club of countries that include NATO allies, Israel and Japan that would be allowed to buy the F-35, which can operate without detection at supersonic speeds.

India currently relies on an ageing fleet of Russian fighter jets as well as a small number of French-made Rafale aircraft.

India's arch rival and neighbour, Pakistan, however said it was "deeply concerned" about the sales.

"Such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability. They remain unhelpful in achieving the objectives of durable peace in the region," said Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Continuing a push from his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump said that the two countries also planned investment in ports, railways and underseas cable to "build one of the greatest trade routes in all of history," running from India to Israel to Europe and beyond.

Trump has dueled with both friends and foes on economic issues. Hours before meeting, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on all countries, including India.

Speaking next to Modi, Trump called India's "unfair, very strong tariffs" a "big problem" but said that the two countries would hold negotiations to close a trade deficit in India's favor.

Modi said that the world's largest and fifth-largest economies would work on a "mutually beneficial trade agreement" to be sealed "very soon," with a focus on oil and gas.

Joining Trump's meeting with Modi was SpaceX and Tesla tycoon Elon Musk, who has launched an aggressive effort as Trump's right-hand man to overhaul the US bureaucracy.

Modi also met one-on-one with Musk, raising questions over whether the world's richest man was meeting the Indian leader in an official or business capacity.

The Indian premier posted pictures of himself shaking hands with the beaming Musk, with several children on Musk's side of the room, and Indian officials on the other.

Modi offered quick tariff concessions ahead of his visit, with New Delhi slashing duties on high-end motorcycles -- a boost to Harley-Davidson, the iconic US manufacturer whose struggles in India have irked Trump.

India has already accepted a US military flight carrying 100 shackled migrants last week as part of Trump's immigration crackdown. The treatment drew protests from India's opposition which accused Modi of sacrificing the dignity of citizens to please Trump.

Trump in turn announced the United States would extradite to India a suspect in the bloody 2008 siege of Mumbai, whom he called "one of the very evil people in the world."

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who was based in Chicago, was convicted in 2011 and later sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Modi and Trump share much in common, with both campaigning on promises to promote majority communities over minorities and both doggedly quashing dissent.

In 2020, Modi delighted Trump by inviting him before a cheering crowd of more than 100,000 people to inaugurate the world's largest cricket stadium in his home state of Gujarat.

Trump could visit India later this year for a summit of the Quad -- a four-way grouping of Australia, India, Japan and the United States. AFP 

Nepal has raised the issue of new air routes with India yet again.

During a recent meeting with the visiting Ministry of External Affairs Additional Secretary, Munu Mahawar, in Kathmandu, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Azu Rana Deuba raised the issue of new air routes that Nepal has been demanding for a long time. 

Nepal has been in discussions with India for over a decade regarding new air entry routes. The government has been negotiating with the Indian government to utilize the airspace of Bhairahawa, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj and Janakpur for air route access. However, Nepal has not yet secured air routes from these locations.

Gyanendra Bhul, the information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), said that Nepal has presented all proposals to India regarding new routes. “Nepal has raised the issue of new air routes in all bilateral meetings - from the Prime Minister level to the ministerial level. While Nepal has presented its case, the Indian side has not yet reached a decision,” he added.

Due to India’s inability to provide a conclusive decision on new routes, the government’s plan to bring aircraft into Nepal using the airspace of Bhairahawa, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj and Janakpur has been stalled.

Nepal had formally requested India to allow air access through Janakpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kathmandu in 2014. In May 2023, talks were held in New Delhi between officials from Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and the Airports Authority of India, but no conclusion was reached.

According to CAAN, if India provides new air entry routes as requested by Nepal, it would save flight costs and time, and also resolve the issue of air traffic congestion. Currently, 90 percent of international flights enter Nepal through Simara, while flights from China enter through the Makalu region in Sankhuwasabha district and flights from Bhutan enter through Mechi. The air routes for exiting Nepal include Simara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Mahendranagar and Bhairahawa.

Nepal has been facing several challenges such as air traffic congestion, disrupted flight schedules, and the need to hold aircraft in the air for extended periods due to the reliance on a single route. CAAN has been saying that if additional routes are made available, managing air traffic would become easier. If India agrees to at least allow the Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj routes, the distance for flights entering Nepal would be significantly reduced, CAAN officials say.

Currently, aircraft coming to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa from Gulf countries enter the Nepali airspace from Simara and fly westward to Bhairahawa as they are not allowed to enter the country from the west. Experts say new international airports in Bhairahawa and Pokhara will be unfeasible if aircraft are not allowed to enter from the west.

After the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal, India committed $250m in grant assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu said on Monday. “The grant was allocated in four different sectors—Housing ($100m), Education ($50m), Health ($50m) and Cultural Heritage ($50m). A JPMC (Joint Project Monitoring Committee) mechanism was set up in Aug 2017 to monitor the progress of these projects,” the statement added.

India and Nepal held the fifth meeting of the JPMC on post-earthquake reconstruction projects on Monday in Kathmandu. The Indian delegation was led by Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Nepalese delegation was led by Padma Kumar Mainalee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of Nepal.

The meeting was also attended by several other representatives of the Governments of India and Nepal, consultants and other stakeholders engaged in implementation of the projects.

The meeting carried out a comprehensive review of the progress of the Government of India assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in housing, education, health and cultural heritage sectors in Nepal. It acknowledged the successful completion of the projects agreed under the housing sector in 2021 and the education sector in 2024.

According to the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, in health and cultural heritage sectors, both sides expressed satisfaction on the progress achieved and agreed to expedite the early completion of projects under these sectors.

Since the last JPMC meeting in Oct 2023, Government of India has handed over 26 projects in the education sector including Tribhuvan University Central Library in Kathmandu, 32 projects in the health sector and three projects in the cultural heritage sector, amounting to Rs 3.35bn.

In addition, 43 projects in the health sector and nine projects in the cultural heritage sector amounting to Rs 1.73bn have been completed during this period, as per the Embassy of India Kathmandu.

Both sides appreciated the positive socio-economic impact of the reconstruction projects, particularly in employment generation and extension of health and education facilities in remote areas.

AS (North) also visited the Gusthal Mahavihar reconstruction project, a cultural heritage site located in Guita Tole, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-8. During the visit, he reviewed the project’s progress and engaged with members of the user community.

Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the JPMC on a mutually convenient date.

The 76th Republic Day of India was celebrated amidst a special ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Ambassador of India to Nepal Naveen Srivastava inaugurated the program by unfurling India's national flag.

During the event, the Indian ambassador conveyed his greetings to the members of the Indian diaspora in Nepal. This was followed by a telecast of the address to the nation from President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu.

A large number of members of the Indian community attended the function.

On the occasion, Ambassador Srivastava honored the widows and next of kin of deceased soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces by disbursing their dues worth Rs 5 Crore, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

In addition, an amount of Rs 23.29 crore was also disbursed to the widows and next of kin of 219 deceased members of Indian Armed Forces. This payment covers benefits under the Army Group Insurance (AGI) program, including death-in-service benefits, extended insurance benefits, and AGI maturity payments in the year 2024.

The ambassador also unveiled the Bhu Puu - 2025 magazine covering the welfare initiatives of the Government of India for ex-servicemen domiciled in Nepal.

The Embassy also donated books amounting to Rs 23.5 Lakh to 29 educational institutions spread across six provinces in Nepal, according to the statement. This initiative is designed to provide educational materials to students in remote areas, responding to their specific needs and requests.

During the program, the top 50 scorers from Nepal in the Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ) Quiz, held from November 11 to December 11, were felicitated by awarding them Certificates of Achievement.

The BKJ Quiz aims to inspire foreign nationals and the Indian community living abroad to deepen their knowledge and understanding of India. As part of the prize, the top 30 winners of the quiz from around the world were invited to India for a two-week BKJ Yatra earlier this month.

Among the winners was Nikhil Kumar Das from Nepal, who had the honor of being part of this special Yatra to India.

A video detailing the progress made in India-Nepal relations in the past years was played at the event.

The celebrations also witnessed cultural performance by students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the Embassy and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kathmandu.

The event was live-streamed on Mission's social media platforms.

The Nepal-India Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) has made a detailed review of all areas of bilateral trade and economic relations. The IGC is a bilateral mechanism aimed at strengthening trade and business relations between the two countries.

The meeting of the IGC related to trade, transit and cooperation to control unauthorized trade was held in Kathmandu on January 10 and 11.

The agenda included review of transit treaty and trade treaty including electrification of Raxaul-Birgunj railway line, proposed amendments to existing agreements, coordination of norms and gradual development of trade infrastructure. The two sides also reviewed issues related to mutual market access, IPR and taxes.

In the meeting, the Indian side informed that Nepal's request for supply of 200,000 metric tonnes of wheat has been approved.

The Nepali side thanked the Indian side for its continued support in ensuring the supply of essential commodities to Nepal.

At the request of the Nepali side, the Indian side has agreed that in the case of cargo-in-transit in Kakarbhitta (Nepal)-Banglabandh (Bangladesh) via Phulbari (India) route, the maximum axle weight of 18.5 tonnes for two-axle vehicles and 28 tonnes for three-axle vehicles can also be applied in the case of Nepali vehicles as per the prevailing regulations of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Responding to the request of the Nepali side, the Indian side informed that Sal (Shorea robusta) seeds and squash have been included in India's plant quarantine order.

Requests for inclusion of Jatamsi-root extract, Fragrant Kokila Berry extract, Fragrant Rhizome extract and Timur Berry extract in the list of processed products have also been accepted.

At the request of the Indian side, the Nepali side said that it was positive to review the documents related to reclassification of products such as 'IPAQE 28' in its technical system.

The Indian side briefed about the problems seen in the export of milk to Nepal. The Nepali side has agreed to positively consider the Indian side's request for milk products, including mohi (whey), cheese, which are not produced in sufficient quantities in Nepal.

The meeting welcomed the bilateral initiatives aimed at strengthening uninterrupted inter-country connectivity between India and Nepal through construction of new integrated check posts and railway links, among others.

The two sides expressed their commitment to advance bilateral connectivity, reflecting the shared vision of prosperous bilateral trade.

The two sides have agreed to form a joint working group to discuss the online approval with Nepal and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Govinda Bahadur Karki led the Nepali delegation to the meeting.

Similarly, the Indian delegation was led by Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce of India in the meeting attended by senior officials from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and various ministries.

A joint secretary-level inter-governmental sub-committee (IGSC) meeting on trade, transit and cooperation to control unauthorized trade was held in Kathmandu from January 12 and 13, 2024.

The second meeting of Nepal-India Joint Business Forum (JBF) has laid emphasis on expansion of bilateral trade and business.

The meeting aimed at further deepening the economic and business relations between the two countries concluded on Saturday.

On the occasion, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari said that India is Nepal's largest trading partner and both countries should take the decisions of the JBF meeting into implementation.

He also underscored on carrying out works for resolving the problems seen in the import and export between the two nations in an easier manner.

Ministry Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki spoke of the need of practical implementation of the topics decided in the JBF meeting.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said there is immense possibility in the economic sector between Nepal and India. He stressed on moving ahead through policy reforms and exploring practical solutions for addressing the problems seen in both trade and business sectors.  

He called for removing the non-tariff barriers, facilitating in resolving the problems arising due to the certification process of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in export of Nepali goods, for air connectivity between Bhairahawa and Pokhara airports of Nepal with various Indian cities and for the smooth supply of explosives required for construction and development of hydroelectricity projects.

The FNCCI President also raised the topic of expanding Nepal's access to various Indian ports, including Mundra (Gujarat), Dhamara (Udisha) and Jawaharlal Nehru port (Mumbai).

The JBF meeting is a part of Nepal-India Commerce Secretary-level Meeting. In the meeting, the representatives of Nepal and India had discussed trade, investment, energy, tourism, agriculture, information technology and infrastructure development, among other topics.

An agreement was reached in the JBF meeting for the promotion of clean energy through collaboration in hydroelectricity and renewable energy, solar and wind projects, of tourism and connectivity, of easing the trans-border trade by strengthening the road, railway and air connectivity and of enhancing trade and cross-border investment, agriculture and medicinal plants, providing high-yielding seeds and technology by removing the quota for agricultural productions, of collaboration in research and commercialization of medicinal herbs and of cooperation in digital technology and startups.

The agreed upon topics of the meeting have been handed over to the Commerce Secretary of Nepal and India on Saturday itself.

JBF President Bhawani Rana and Santhil Kumar handed over the agreement to Commerce Secretary of India Sunil Barthwal and Nepal's Commerce Secretary Karki.

The Indian Commerce Secretary expressed the commitment to take the initiative for the implementation of the agendas raised in course of the JBF meeting.

Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava said this meeting is important in terms of the economic issues between the two countries and that he would take initiatives for facilitating the topics raised in the JBF meeting.

JBF Nepal President Bhawani Rana reiterated that there is extensive possibility of investment and trade between Nepal and India, and there should be the required facilitation for taking benefit from this.

Similarly, from the Indian side N Sunil Kumar believed that there would be more convenience in the coming days, as the road, railway and air connectivity between Nepal and India is improving.

It is agreed that the JBF next meeting will be convened in New Delhi, India.