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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has reached New Delhi, India to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi.

Upon reaching New Delhi-based Indira Gandhi International Airport today, Prime Minister Dahal was received by special representatives of the Government of India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India.

Modi, who has been appointed the Prime Minister of India for the third term on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, is scheduled to take the oath of office and secrecy this evening.

Following the swearing-in ceremony of Modi, Prime Minister Dahal will meet his Indian counterpart, according to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by his daughter and private secretary Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and other senior government officials during the visit. He is scheduled to return home on Monday.

Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) representatives from Nepal and India held a semi-formal discussion on Asia as a Knowledge Sharing Society in Kathmandu on Tuesday, aligning with AMIC's 30th Annual Conference theme taking place in September 2024.

The discussion was witnessed by 29 participants from various institutions, including colleges, media houses, researchers, scholars, and academicians.

Laxman Datt Pant, AMIC's representative in Nepal, presented an overview of AMIC and opportunities for research in communications and media.

Pant stated that AMIC is an excellent platform for showcasing knowledge in various fields of media and research. "With proper use of AMIC, media researchers can contribute to and benefit the research field with a far-reaching impact."

Similarly, Dr Chandrabhanu Pattanayak, an AMIC representative in India and a well-known media academician, researcher, and journal editor, discussed Asia's role in global knowledge and information exchange.

According to Pattanayak, there is a reverse paradigm in Asia versus the West.

"The West, on the one hand, emphasizes lingua franca, whereas the East or Asia emphasizes multilingualism, and, surprisingly, there have been no communication breaks or gaps between the countries," he stated.

Dr Aditya Shukla, an Indian academic, expressed his great pleasure at the opportunity to discuss such important issues. He said, “AMIC is doing tremendous work in the knowledge sharing field and establishing Asia as a knowledge hub. Particularly, the program on Asia as a knowledge sharing society was well organized and programs like such can explore the potential of Asia as a knowledge hub.”

He also stated, "If Asian countries come together and emphasize and share Asian knowledge on a high level. We can position our region as a knowledge hub. Because we are completely different from the West, and we have histories with various philosophies that have yet to be fully explored."

Shreeman Sharma, Research Uptake Manager at HERD International, suggested that AMIC should help in enhancing the capacity of researchers and institutions in Nepal. This is an appropriate time to prioritize Nepal's media and communication research needs, he added. 

The discussion was attended by Sanjogita Mishra, founder and director of the Institute of Knowledge Society, Chun Gurung, Journalism Faculty Lead at St. Xavier College,  Sweta Singh from All India Radio and DD India,  Yam Bahadur Dura, a faculty member at Madan Bhandari Memorial College, Dr. Shree Ram Khanal, Head of Journalism Department at Gramin Adarsha College, Umesh Pokhrel, a media researcher, Jhabindra Bhusal, Chief Officer at Press Council Nepal, Neha Sharma, an AMIC member, Shalik Ram Subedi from Nepal Television and a number of media scholars interested in research and media development.

Participants inquired about and expressed interest in AMIC's work, as well as suggestions for how it can broaden its scope to help elevate the Asian perspective in Nepal through its rigorous work. They also discussed how Nepalese scholars can join the AMIC to contribute to and disseminate Asian knowledge throughout the world.

The government has taken a new strategy to promote religious places.

Presenting the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2024/25 in the federal Parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Barshaman Pun said that the government is to operate transport services from the Nepal-India border to visit Pashupatinath, Swargadwari, and Muktinath temple.

He said that the budget has been arranged to promote tourism.  

India and Nepal are deeply connected through natural resources, cultural heritage, and the shared philosophy of Sanatan Dharma. Their integrated people-to-people relations stand as a testament to a living culture and heritage. The significant trade and commerce through open border check posts underscore their economic relationship and its potential for growth via Indian territory.

Despite these factors defining their geo-strategic relationship, the India-Nepal dynamic hasn't seen the bold transformation observed in India-Bangladesh relations. Both Bangladesh and Nepal are set to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. Attention is now on their preparedness and ability to leverage opportunities with regional leaders like India, which is on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. 

The post-Covid Bangladesh showcases an economic success story, collaborating closely with India. The development of markets, demographic dividends, institutional growth, the Matarbari deep-sea port, and linking industrial value chains with North-East India are testaments to Bangladesh’s political will and strategic alignment with India, garnering support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This robust partnership has led to Bangladesh’s thriving supply chains, GDP growth, and overall progress.

In contrast, Nepal’s political instability hampers its potential. Since the general elections of November 2022, the government has been formed three times, with a fourth vote of confidence for the prime minister imminent. Mainstream political parties seem more focused on power struggles than on harnessing Nepal’s economic potential. A pressing concern is the exodus of Nepali youth seeking opportunities abroad, reflecting a domestic business environment marked by stagnation and lack of investment. The phenomenon of "shutter down" businesses indicates widespread disillusionment.

A critical question needs to be asked as to why there is a domestic lull, why the prime minister hasn’t called for an emergency meeting to discuss closure of businesses, up-and-running businesses fear of going bust, and young population leaving the country in droves. 

Despite these challenges, Nepal recently hosted the Third Investment Summit in Kathmandu on April 28-29, featuring over 50 countries, 800 foreign delegates, and 2200 domestic leaders. The summit began with enthusiastic statements from international diplomatic leaders and investment partners. However, domestic business leaders appeared detached, awaiting substantial reforms in domestic laws and regulations. The reliance on ordinances for partial legal amendments undermines sustainable growth and highlights the fragility of Nepal’s business ecosystem.

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), one of the chambers of commerce, had called for amendments to 28 laws and regulations to encourage businesses and investors, but the government addressed only a part of their demand through ordinances just ahead of the summit. Ordinance-driven changes mar the momentum of sustainable growth and cannot be seen as a constructive step. 

Despite the three mainstream political leaders—Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Sher Bahadur Deuba and KP Sharma Oli—speaking in one voice about political consensus on Nepal’s readiness to receive foreign investment, the ordinance route amendments betrays the fragility of the country’s business ecosystem.

The summit did showcase success stories, notably India’s steady commitment and investment. Indian Minister Piyush Goyal’s endorsement of global investment in Nepal highlighted the potential for shared progress. Nepali leaders acknowledged India’s role in helping Nepal meet its Net Zero Commitments and assisting with clean energy exports. The potential export of clean energy to Bangladesh via India and the opening of Bangladeshi ports through North East India could be transformative for Nepal. However, realizing these opportunities requires robust connectivity, infrastructural development, a conducive business environment, and unrestricted access to resources and talent.

The question remains how Nepal’s political leadership will capitalize on the trust and strategic partnership with India to foster domestic growth and attract foreign investment. The future of Nepal’s economic and regional integration hinges on its ability to create a stable, business-friendly environment supported by both domestic and regional players.

New Nepal political map 2020 

On 25 April 2024, Nepal’s Cabinet approved printing of the new 100 rupee note with the new Nepal political map. The decision was not made public until 3 May 2024. 

Let’s relook at the recent developments relating to the India-Nepal boundary row: 

1. Nearly 98 percent of the boundary between India and Nepal has already been delineated.

2. In a unilateral move, bypassing the existing bilateral mechanism of boundary resolution with India, Nepal’s Parliament unanimously approved the new Nepal Political Map in June 2020 tabled by then KP Sharma Oli-led government.  

3. The new Nepal Map included the territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, the point of contention between India and Nepal.

4. When the Lower House of Nepal’s Parliament approved the new Map, India conveyed its readiness to talk and noted “that the onus is on the K P Sharma Oli government in Nepal to create a “positive and conducive atmosphere” for talks to resolve the row over Kalapani-Lipulekh region.”

5. Nepal overlooked Indian Statement of openness to talk after the Lower House approval and went ahead and tabled instead at the Upper House which then approved unanimously.

6. In the same year 2020, Nepal minted new coins Rs 1 and Rs 2 Coins with New Nepal Map. Similarly, there were news updates that the new Map was introduced in the school curriculum.

7. Repeatedly, the Indian Government expressed readiness to discuss the boundary issue under the existing bilateral framework. The results of the progress under the bilateral mechanism on this issue are not evident enough on social media.

8. In the meantime, the boundary issues did not stall both sides from pursuing the shared progress agenda.

9. During the Joint Presser of Prime Minister Dahal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 June 2023 at the time of Nepal’s Prime Minister Dahal’s visit to India, Prime Minister Modi said, “We will continue to work to take our relations to the height of the Himalayas. And in this spirit, we will resolve all the issues, be it the boundary issue or any other issue. I am happy to share that the partnership between India and Nepal has been a super hit.” The collaborative spirit also led to the mega announcement of Nepal exporting 10,000 MW to India over a period of 10 years. Such a cross-border energy trade partnership is expected to correct the trade deficit between India-Nepal and also foreseen to pave the way for Nepal’s clean energy export to Bangladesh and others in the long term.

10. In March 2024, the third time government post 2022 General Elections formed in Nepal (with five coalition partners namely CPN (Maoist Centre), NCP (UML), RSP, CPN (US), JSP under the prime ministership of Dahal. In specific, the coalition partners announce their “Minimum Policy Priority and Common Program” which includes “to further strengthen the geographical integrity, sovereignty, independence and freedom of Nepal, to advance effective diplomatic efforts to take back Nepali lands such as Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, Kalapani, Susta, and to effectively manage the border”.

11. On 25 April, 2024, the Cabinet of Nepal Government passed the decision to print new 100 rupees notes with the new Nepal Map. The Cabinet decision was announced on 3 May 2024. 

The week in Nepal-India relations 

Let’s take a closer look at the period April 25–May 3 in Nepal-India relations:

1. The decision of the Cabinet meeting held on April 25 was made public only on May 3.

2. Some of the key events during the period April 25-May 3 included the Third Nepal Investment Summit held on April 28-29 which witnessed mega success stories on Indian Investment into Nepal; official Visit of G Murmu, the Comptroller Auditor General of India and signing of MoU with Toyam Raya, the Auditor General of Nepal on enhancing cooperation between the two Supreme Audit Institutions on May 2; and on May 3, the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud arrived in Kathmandu for a 3-day visit at the invitation of Chief Justice of Nepal, Bishwambhar Prasad Shrestha.

Conclusions

In view of the above developments in India-Nepal relations, including a peek into the key week with announcements demonstrating political will, government decisions, high-level visits, success stories in multifaceted India-Nepal relations leaves me with following 10 conclusions:

1. India remains by the far the most strategic partner for Nepal, be it due to civilizational linkages, integrated People-to-People lives, largest trade partnership and importantly can help Nepal achieve its Net Zero Commitments by facilitating the export of clean energy from Nepal. India is also a key regional leader that can influence, support and navigate any global agenda for securing and safeguarding Mountain, River and Sea economies between Himalayas to Bay of Bengal. The high-level visits from Judiciary, Constitutional Agencies, Business Leaders show the spirit of collaboration and partnership as foreseen by Prime Minister Modi to take the India-Nepal relations to the “height of Himalayas” earlier at the Joint presser with Prime Minister Dahal in June 2023.

2. There is a boundary dispute between Nepal and India which calls for diplomacy and dialogue without any further delay. The Political Statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Dahal have set the track in motion which must be followed in letter and spirit.

3. In the wake of the above, the political leadership in Nepal appears vague and unclear as to what they want by changing the goalposts year upon year with their most strategic partner. How does one reconcile the same Prime Minister Dahal at the Presser with Prime Minister Modi in June 2023 speaking of the “solid foundation built on the one hand by rich tradition of civilizational, cultural and socio-economic linkage and on the other by the firm commitment of the two counties to the time-tested principle of sovereign equality, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation”, acknowledging Indian investment in Nepal as a keynote success story at the Nepal Investment Summit on April 2024 while his cabinet then approves new Rupees 100 Banknotes with “unilateral” new Map and announces in May 2024. Is there leadership void to pursue National Issues and development agenda in Nepal? If Bangladesh can achieve both with Neighbourhood First spirit, where does Nepal default and why?

4. One may also question here how effectively did the Nepal Government evaluate India-Nepal partnership potential during the launch of “minimum policy priority and common program” in March 2024. Did Prime Minister Dahal convince his coalition partners of the understanding achieved with India and how he intends to leverage this relationship with Prime Minister Modi for the welfare of the people of Nepal. Prime Minister Dahal could have focused on seeking investment and support in technological sector, engagement with Indian Corporate as Tech Mahindra, TCS, Infosys, Wipro for the youth of Nepal, agreed for Skills related investments along the borders, sought Indian support for three AIIMS level Healthcare Institutions in Nepal (West, Centre and East) and secured a guaranteed seat with prime educational institutions as IITs/ IIMs/ors. for the top brightest students of Nepal.

5. Did Prime Minister Dahal fall for an agenda of “nationalism” for his own survival? Or did the coalition partners like former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, whose national appeal thrives on call for “nationalism”, dissuaded him from the development agenda for the people of Nepal? The two communist leaders of Nepal have taken each other for a ride and still continue to do so at the cost of National Interest. In the frenzy of domestic vote bank scoring and outsmarting each other, both have jeopardized the gains during their respective tenure with India which they could have leveraged for welfare of Nepali people and thus strengthened their foothold in Nepal.

6. Now let’s turn towards India—the Indian media frenzy with Nepal’s Cabinet decision of new banknotes with new Nepal map was dramatic and sensationalism driven. Their overkill of imagination can be seen with two potential conclusions, a) Nepal is hostile towards India and India-Nepal relation at its worst, b) Nepal is in China’s lap and that the communist leaders are being controlled and manipulated by China. Unless and until, the importance of domestic mileage in Nepali politics is understood and appreciated, such hasty conclusions will lead to more provocation and not resolution.

7. To begin with, one shouldn’t forget that Nepal’s Parliament already approved the New Nepal Map in 2020 and thus its implementation is an internal matter of Nepal. Nepal had already minted Nepali Coins of denomination Rs 1 and Rs 2 in 2020. Whether they decide and mint/ print 10/20/100 or more is an internal matter! The issue should have been the timely resolution after the statement of Prime Minister Modi at the Joint Presser in June 2023. Media overaction with China linkages mar dialogue and diplomacy in India as in Nepal. 

8. Indian media and Nepali media should have mentioned about the embarrassment caused to the leadership at the Judiciary and Constitutional Agencies of both India and Nepal when such a Cabinet decision was made public. (Referring to the visits of CAG Murmu and CJI DY Chandrachud to Nepal in May 2024)

9. Last but not least, while India remains focused on people-to-people and economic relations in Nepal and is also well aware of the domestic politics compulsions driving behavior of the Nepali leaders, it must therefore work with rigor to remove the irritants in matters of national consideration to Nepal. It is imperative that India is seen as more indifferent to political constitutions. The pace of developments and economic interventions from India should be driven by welfare and progress of Nepali people. Access to essentials such as electricity, onions, tea or trade and commerce related approvals shouldn’t become a one step forward and two steps back decision. It is also time to upscale the HICDP intervention to move away from school buildings to big ticket investment in skills and vocational institutes, healthcare institutions at the Province level and IIT/IIM at the capital level. It is only timely and relevant that Modi 3.0 has a reinvigorated Nepal policy that takes Nepal along in #Amritkaal and not let domestic politics compulsions of Nepal dent the spirit of Neighbourhood First

10. The two countries are duty bound to preserve and nurture their unique shared heritage of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam where human and nature’s coexistence can be seen as a way of life in a family and society, in the decision making and governance at the State level. It is imperative for both India-Nepal to recognize their richness of Sanatan Dharma and strive together to protect and nurture its core principles of plurality and freedom of expression. Man-made political boundaries do not and cannot split the custodians of Dharma—as seen in the lives of SitaRam or Machendranath and Gorakhnath, or in the journey of Buddha.

It is time to correct the course and revive Kathmandu to Kashi understanding before it’s too late. 

The author is New Delhi-based financial, geopolitical and security analyst. Views are personal

India and Nepal on Wednesday concluded their first-ever bilateral meeting between their probe agencies tasked to combat money laundering and discussed ways to check the crime taking place through the porous border between the two neighbors. A visiting delegation of Nepal's department of money laundering investigation (DMLI), led by its Director General Pushpa Raj Shahi, attended the two-day meet with the officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

"This was the first head of the agency level meeting between the two anti-money laundering agencies of India and Nepal. The meeting was aimed at developing mutual cooperation and strengthening capacity building in the areas of money laundering and asset recovery between India and Nepal," an official statement issued by the ED said. The Indian side was led by ED Director (in-charge) Rahul Navin and both the sides had officials from their respective embassies in Delhi and Kathmandu apart from the Indian external affairs ministry.

During the meeting, both sides presented an overview of their respective anti-money laundering legislations and exchanged ideas for combating the menace of money laundering, it said. Both the sides also presented case studies and discussed common modus of money laundering schemes, as per the statement.

The ED, it said, explained in detail about various tools of investigation, analytical software and forensic tools/equipment used during the money laundering investigations. "Emphasis was placed upon on the fact that money laundering is a global problem that not only threatens security, but also compromises the stability, transparency and efficiency of financial systems, thus undermining economic prosperity.

"Therefore, both the sides expressed their concern towards money laundering risks through the porous border between India and Nepal," the statement said. The two agencies also "agreed" to continue strengthening cooperation in anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism efforts, through increased information sharing and coordination, including expeditious sharing of evidence and information for money laundering and terrorism financing investigations, as and when necessary, it said.

The importance of fighting financial crimes and on the effective implementation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards to protect abuse of financial systems was agreed upon, as per the ED. The Nepalese delegation "requested assistance" to set up forensic labs like the one ED has, and to arrange capacity building and training for DMLI officers.

ED expressed its "willingness" on this request and to strengthen agency-to-agency cooperation through informal channels in the areas of money laundering and asset recovery. "As a step closer, a draft MoU between ED and DMLI for enhancing mutual cooperation in the investigation of money laundering offenses was discussed and the same would be signed in due course after obtaining the necessary approvals from their respective competent authorities," the statement said.

The Nepal-India border in Siraha district will be closed for eight days in two phases, due to the upcoming Loksabha elections in the neighboring Indian state of Bihar.

The elections are scheduled to take place in two phases: on May 7 and May 20.

As per directives from the District Administration Office in Siraha, transit points will be closed 72 hours before each election date.

Consequently, the border areas will be inaccessible from Saturday midnight until May 7 for the first phase and from midnight on May 17 until May 20 for the second phase.

Around two months ago, a meeting between Nepal-India security officials concluded that the Thadhi, Bariyapatti, and Madarana points along the Nepal-India border in Siraha would be closed during the Loksabha polls in Madhuwani district of Bihar, according to Assistant Chief District Officer Naresh Kumar Yadav.

India, the world's largest democracy, is busy holding the 18th Lok Sabha elections which will conclude on June 1. The global community is closely watching the outcomes of these elections. With its burgeoning population having surpassed China's, India is on track to claim the mantle of the world's third-largest economy by 2030. As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and a torchbearer for the Global South, India's policies, both domestic and foreign, resonate far beyond its borders.

The significance of India's elections reverberates throughout the region. While there are widespread projections that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win a third consecutive term, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuing in office, opposition parties are expected to strengthen their position compared to the 2019 elections.

The election outcomes in India are of particular significance for South Asian nations including Nepal, where India wields deep political, economic and military influence. In 2014, upon assuming power with a resounding victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinvigorated the 'Neighborhood First' policy, although he failed to achieve the expected outcomes. 

To demonstrate the BJP government's priority for neighbors, he invited the heads of state and government from South Asian countries to attend his swearing-in ceremony. When re-elected in 2019, Modi continued the 'Neighborhood First' policy by inviting BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Pectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) member countries to his swearing-in ceremony. If re-elected for a third term, the BJP government is likely to maintain the 'Neighborhood First' policy, although India has been focusing more on regions beyond South Asia in recent years. 

Despite occasional highs and lows, the trajectory of Nepal-India relations points toward a positive outlook, poised to weather the complexities of shared history and future aspirations.

Over the past decade, under Modi's leadership, Nepal-India relations have witnessed many highs and lows. However, the relationship is moving in a positive direction, which should continue even after the elections.

Crucial issues such as the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty and boundary disputes remain on the diplomatic agenda, albeit the two countries approach them with varying degrees of emphasis. Nevertheless, the two neighbors recognize the imperative of fostering trust and stability to navigate these challenges successfully. A notable shift in India's approach to the internal affairs of its neighbors signals a promising era of cooperation built on mutual respect and understanding.

The BJP government has changed its approach on how to view the internal political affairs of South Asian countries which has helped to build an environment trust.

One encouraging signal is that economic collaboration has emerged as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, with a growing focus on development partnerships and infrastructure projects. Despite changes in political leadership, the momentum in bilateral engagements remains steady, underpinning a commitment to sustained progress and prosperity.

Over the past three decades, India has faced charges of not completing development projects for extended periods. However, several bilateral projects are now making progress, ultimately helping to build an environment of trust. Recent visits by Nepali leaders to New Delhi and Indian leaders to Kathmandu have focused on enhancing economic and development partnerships. The energy cooperation agreement between Nepal and India has paved the way for regional energy cooperation, with Nepal positioned as a clean energy provider to the region. 

As India's economy continues to rise and rise, and major multinational companies shift their industries to India, Nepal, which shares an open border, should get the opportunities. India could become a destination not only for unskilled Nepali workforce but also for highly skilled professionals in sectors such as education, health, IT, banking, and others, which have not received much discussion. Both Nepal and India should seriously consider these issues and clearly outline their plans to derive economic benefits from India's rising economy. These matters should be taken seriously regardless of which party comes to power.

Amid robust economic collaboration between two countries, over the past few years, Nepal is witnessing a debate about the growing ideological influence of BJP in Nepal. In recent years, there has been a perception among Nepali leaders and the public that the BJP and its affiliates are pushing for a Hindu agenda in Nepal. It is often said that they are suggesting (sometimes pressuring) Nepali leaders to scrap secularism and go for the Hindu state. There are also reports that various organizations linked with the BJP are active in Nepal with their Hindu agenda. 

While Nepal's top leaders are aware of those issues, they have not spoken publicly. However, they want to discuss those issues with Indian leaders. BJP leaders should be mindful that such efforts could again strain the bilateral relationship, which has reached a new level after sustained efforts from both sides. It would be worthwhile to recall India's approach to the demands of Madhes-based parties, mainly after 2017, which helped enhance the bilateral relations.

Many Nepali politicians and analysts view the growing activities of Hindu organizations as an attempt to overturn the 2015 constitution. This suspicion among Nepali politicians obviously does not help enhance the bilateral relationship. There should be frank and open discussions between the two sides, not only on these issues but also on other issues of mutual concern. 

India's relationship with global powers also affects its South Asia policy. The India-US strategic partnership is likely to be enhanced, but there are divergent views on several bilateral and global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war. The India-China relationship is unlikely to improve for at least the next few years. As I have highlighted in my previous columns, Nepal's approach should be not to engage in the big-power rivalry but to focus on economic development.

The future of Nepal-India relations hinges not on fleeting political interests but on a shared commitment to long-term prosperity and mutual respect. By prioritizing economic and developmental collaboration, both nations can chart a course toward a brighter, more interconnected future.

Checkpoints in Sudurpaschim Province bordering with India will remain closed till April 19 evening.

The border crossings - Jhulaghat of Baitadi, Pulghat of Darchula, Gaddachauki and Brahmadev of Kanchanpur - have remained closed since Tuesday evening.

Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Bhimkant Sharma, said the checkpoints were closed in view of Lok Sabha election taking place in India.

The election is taking place in Uttarakhand and Champawat in India on April 19. The movement along the checkpoints has been completely prohibited during the period due to security sensitivity, he added.

The checkpoints were closed in coordination with Indian officials.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu gifted 35 ambulances and 66 school buses to various organizations, spread across different districts of Nepal, and working in the field of health and education respectively on Sunday.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shri Naveen Srivastava handed over the keys of vehicles in the presence of Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun.

Mayors and chairpersons of municipalities and rural municipalities of various districts as well as representatives of various beneficiary organizations, political representatives, officials of the Government of Nepal, and social workers were also present at the event, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu today.

The representatives of the Embassy handed over the two out of the total 101 vehicles gifted today to the earthquake-affected Jajarkot and West Rukum districts.

The Government of India has been giving ambulances and school buses on the occasion of the Independence Day and the Republic Day of India for 3 decades to various beneficiary organizations in different parts of Nepal, giving high priority to Nepal's health and education sectors.

On the occasion, the Ambassador stated that this has been one of the long-standing initiatives of the Government of India under the Nepal-India Development Partnership to bolster the efforts of the Government of Nepal to strengthen its infrastructure in health and education sectors.

Ambassador further highlighted that this is a part of the robust and strong development partnership between India and Nepal and has a geographical spread throughout Nepal, touching people's lives and bringing out tangible progress in the development journey of Nepal, according to the statement.

 Finance Minister Pun, during the program, appreciated Government of India’s various ongoing developmental projects in Nepal and expressed that these will continue to strengthen people-to-people connectivity and bilateral relations between the two countries.  He emphasized that this flagship program is very beneficial for the people of Nepal.  

Since 1994, the Government of India has gifted 1,009 ambulances and 300 school buses across Nepal, including those gifted today. It is part of Government of India’s continued support for the efforts of Nepal to strengthen its health and education facilities and to facilitate easy physical access to these services.

The Jhulaghat border crossing point with India will be closed from Tuesday.

The border transit point is going to be closed in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, said Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Bhimkant Sharma.

Parliamentary elections are going to be held in the neighboring Uttarakhand state of India on April 19.

In view of the election, the Jhulaghat checkpoint will be closed from 7 pm on April 16 to 7 pm on April 19.

The transit point is being closed due to security concerns. However, it can be opened for emergency reasons based on mutual agreement, it is stated.

The school and hostel buildings of Shree Sharada Secondary School in Rawa Besi Rural Municipality, Khotang, built with Government of India’s financial assistance of Rs 36.10 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ was inaugurated on Thursday.

The buildings were jointly inaugurated by San Bahadur Rai, Chief, District Coordination Committee, Phatik Kumar Shrestha, Chairman, Rawa Besi Rural Municipality, Khotang and Shri Suman Shekhar, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of India.

Public representatives, government officials, social workers, representatives of the school management, teachers, parents and students were also present on the occasion.

The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ was utilized for the construction of a double storied school building, hostel building and procurement of furniture for both buildings. 

This project was implemented through the District Coordination Committee, Khotang.

The project was taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), earlier known as Small Development Projects, under an agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Nepal.

Shree Sharada Secondary School was established in 1952. The school is providing education from Class 1 to 10+2 level. There are over 365 students studying in the school, about 50% of whom are girls.   The school has achieved remarkable success in providing quality education.

Since 2003, the government of India has taken up over 550 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 488 projects.

Amongst these, 85 projects are in Koshi Province in various sectors, which includes one project in Khotang. In addition to these, the government of India has gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Amongst these, 141 Ambulances and 35 School buses have been gifted in Koshi Province, which includes 4 ambulances and 1 school bus provided in Khotang District, according to the statement.

As close neighbors, India and Nepal share 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 upliftment of its people, augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sectors especially in the education sector in Nepal. 

The 3rd Edition of the “Prospects for North Bengal – Investments in Sustainability” an initiative of the Bangal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BNCC&I) held in Siliguri, India on Thursday with the objective to understand, discuss and initiate dialogues for business opportunities and investments in the sectors which are thriving in North Bengal and also the one which have more potential for accelerating the growth of North Bengal.

Delivering a keynote remark in the inaugural session of the event, Vice President of Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) Sunil KC underscored the untapped opportunities for economic cooperation between Nepal and India, particularly in the context of North Bengal. He emphasized the need for a holistic approach to development, prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity while leveraging the region's natural resources and strategic location, reads a statement issued by NICCI.

KC proposed key recommendations for economic growth, including further investments in infrastructure development, which he deemed essential for unlocking North Bengal's full economic potential. He emphasized the necessity of increased investment in improving road, rail, and air connectivity along the Siliguri corridor, a crucial transit route linking Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN). Upgrading existing infrastructure and establishing logistics hubs were identified as priorities to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and people across borders.

Secondly, he advocated for facilitating cross-border trade and investments, which emerged as a central theme of discussions. KC stressed the importance of simplifying customs procedures and reducing trade barriers to promote greater economic integration within the BBIN region. He also proposed the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial parks along the Siliguri corridor to attract foreign investments and spur economic growth.

Furthermore, KC emphasized recognizing the imperative of sustainable development. Participants underscored the need to integrate environmental considerations into business operations and investment decisions, including promoting the adoption of green technologies, supporting renewable energy initiatives, and implementing environmentally friendly practices across industries. By prioritizing sustainability, North Bengal can position itself as a responsible and attractive destination for investors committed to long-term environmental stewardship, the statement reads.

Gautam Deb, Mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Andalib Elias, Deputy High Commissioner, People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kolkata, Eshor Raj Poudel, Consul General of Nepal in Kolkata, Bhaskar Roy, and Vice President Techno India Group also spoke at the event, representing their respective organizations.

The event successfully brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore avenues for investment and development in North Bengal, with a particular focus on leveraging the region's strengths and potential for sustainable growth.

Throughout the event, stakeholders engaged in fruitful discussions and networking sessions aimed at identifying collaborative opportunities and forging partnerships for mutual benefit. The importance of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing emerged as key drivers of economic growth and sustainability in North Bengal, according to the statement.

Angana Guha Roy Chowdhury, Assistant Director-General of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed gratitude to all participants for their valuable insights and contributions. She reaffirmed BCCI's commitment to supporting initiatives promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth in North Bengal, underscoring the organization's role as a catalyst for positive change in the region.

India has refrained from commenting on the recent political developments in Nepal, describing them as ‘internal matters’ of Nepal, and reaching out to senior members of a nascent Cabinet on a hectic day.

At  a meeting with Finance Minister Barsha Man Pun, India’s Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said India’s position on Nepal remains unchanged. The change in the coalition is an internal matter of Nepal, so it does not affect India’s views and position on Nepal, he said.  

Ambassador Srivastava also paid a courtesy call on newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, congratulating the latter and extending best wishes to him.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPM Shrestha and Ambassador Srivastava discussed various topics of bilateral and mutual interest, said spokesperson for the ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai. The topics included ways to strengthen bilateral ties and timely completion of development projects underway in Nepal with Indian assistance. 

During Indian Minister for External Affair S Jaishankar’s Nepal visit last week, Nepal and India signed an agreement on implementing High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) with new terms and an increased amount of grants. The two countries increased the fund size for the projects to Rs 200m. The fund size was previously capped at a maximum of Rs 50m per project.

Some political leaders have expressed displeasure over the deal, saying it goes against Nepal’s national interests. What does this agreement really mean for Nepal and is there any truth to what the critics are saying? Let’s find out.

What are small development projects ?

In the 2000s, India revisited its development projects mainly in the neighborhood. Indian policymakers realized the importance of community-driven development projects, so that they could be completed within the stipulated time frame. As a pilot project in South Asia, India first launched the projects in Nepal under the name of Small Development Projects (SDPs) which gradually expanded over time. The core concept of this program was ensuring a triangular partnership between communities, local governments and the Embassy of India in Kathmandu supporting small development projects. According to a study carried out by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), a New Delhi-based think tank, the idea is to link development projects with community and with local development efforts, and at the same time, ensure the role for local agencies. According to RIS, this program has evolved over the years and is now being extended by India in other neighboring countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The focus areas of the program are education, health, and cultural heritage, among others. In 2003, then Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa agreed to implement such projects in Nepal. 

What are HICDPs? 

This is a continuation of the  SDPs initiated in 2003 and it is an important portfolio of development partnership. According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, these grassroots projects have been implemented in the priority sector of Nepal, such as hospitals, schools, colleges, drinking water facilities, sanitation, hydropower plant and embankment and river training works. According to a research conducted by the Center for Social Inclusion and Federalism, prior to Nepal’s transition to federalism, the district development committees used to send applications to the respective ministries, such as education and health, for aid. Those ministries would then forward the applications to the Finance Ministry. But in 2020, Nepal and India agreed to a new provision. According to Nepal government’s decision of 30th September 2020, to receive aid under the Indian Embassy’s SDPs, organizations are first required to submit a proposal to the respective local body, either municipality or rural municipality. 

How many projects have been completed so far? 

Since 2003, over 544 HICDPs have been undertaken by India. Of them, 480 projects have been completed and the remaining 59 projects are still ongoing. After Nepal adopted federalism structure with the promulgation of the 2015 constitution, Nepal and India worked on how to implement the projects. Province-wise, 84 projects have been completed in Koshi, 81 projects in Madhes, 105 in Bagmati, 61 in Gandaki, 60 projects in Lumbini, 14 in Karnlai and 41 in Sudurpaschim. 

Which other South Asian countries have implemented HICDPs? 

Other South Asian countries to implement HICDPs are Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan. In 2023, India doubled its high-impact community development projects in Bangladesh. The two countries had signed the initial agreement in 2005. In Bhutan, 392 projects have been completed under the program. India and Bhutan have formed a separate committee to implement HICDPs and they review the projects on a periodic basis. Similarly, India and Afghanistan expanded these projects in 2019. 

How are projects selected? 

The Ministry of Finance has stated that funding requests from local units are first filtered by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD). The Finance Ministry receives project recommendations from the MoFALD, shortlists the projects on priority basis and requests the Indian government for funding. The respective rural municipality and municipality must also contribute counterpart funds of five percent and 10 percent, respectively. This provision, however, can be relaxed under special circumstances.

What is the application process for HICDPs ? 

According to the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, to apply for HICDP funds, there is a specific format that must be followed along with submission of necessary documents, duly attested by the Nepal government agencies. The concerned local government must submit the proposal by disclosing project title, location, budget requirements and local government’s contribution, among others. 

Where are the projects implemented ? 

The CESIF research says, one could expect a higher concentration of project grants in the Tarai region bordering India. However, analysis shows India’s grants are relatively more concentrated in the northern districts bordering China than in the southern districts. Since 2019, India has funded in total 23 projects—18 education related, two health related, and three small infrastructure projects—in 26 districts bordering India, the research says. In the same period, India has funded 48 projects—23 education related, 18 health and sanitation related, two culture related and five small-scale infrastructure projects—in 15 northern districts bordering the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 

What do the critics say about HICDP? 

Critics argue that HICDP grants India the opportunity for micromanagement, enabling the Indian Embassy to engage with local stakeholders. Political leaders are divided on the program. Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal has vehemently opposed the decision to renew HICDP. He said that obtaining funds from foreign embassies for projects in Nepal is detrimental to the national interests of Nepal. “This goes against our independence and sovereignty. This is against our national interests,” Khanal told the media recently. CPN-UML leader Raghuji Panta also said that the agreement is against national interests. Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee for State Affairs and Good Governance, he warned that the HICDPs could lead to political meddling. He has also made a written request to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to reconsider the agreement, terming it a foreign interference in Nepal’s internal affairs.

What do the defenders say? 

Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi has welcomed the agreement. He dismissed the claims that the projects are chosen solely at the discretion of the Indian Embassy. “The involvement and approval of the concerned ministries are a must to select the projects,” he said. “Various leaders and activists have already been soliciting development funds for their areas from Indian ambassadors and officials. Their opposition to the agreement now reveals their dual character.”

Nepal and India held important discussions and agreed on eight various topics on the energy sector.

The 11th meeting of Nepal-India Energy Secretary Level Joint Steering Committee that concluded in Chitwan today has agreed on especially the topic of strengthening the electricity transmission system.

Nabin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, said the meeting discussed various agenda prepared by the Joint-secretary level Joint Task Force.

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Gopal Prasad Sigdel, and Secretary at India's Ministry of Energy, Pankaj Agrawal, co-chaired the meeting.

Before this, the 11th meeting of Nepal-India Energy Joint Task Force co-chaired by Joint-Secretary Singh and Joint-Secretary of India's Ministry of Power, Dr D Saibaba, held necessary discussions on the existing, under-construction and proposed inter-country power transmission lines, various projects having Indian investment and the related transmission line projects, among other topics. The taskforce meeting also made recommendations to the Secretary-level meeting on these topics after discussing them.

However, it is said that most of the topics agreed upon this time shall be finalized by the technical groups, as these agreements are concerned more with technical topics.

The meeting made a decision on principle only since most of the topics are more technical-related, according to the Nepali high officials participating in the meeting.

Both sides have agreed on expanding the capacity of the Dhalkebar-Mujaffarpur Inter-country Transmission Line to 1,000 megawatts. Required infrastructures would be constructed at Dhalkebar substation for this purpose. At present, the export and import of 800 megawatts electricity is taking place from this transmission line.

The Joint Technical Committee will study and make necessary decisions on the topic of utilizing this transmission line in its maximum capacity. Nepal has also been paying the transmission fees for utilizing the full capacity of this transmission line.

The high officials of the Ministry of Energy who attended the meeting said that an important agreement has been made regarding utilization of the maximum capacity of the first inter-country transmission line linking Nepal and India.

Similarly, the Joint Technical Committee shall also take the necessary decision regarding determining the capacity of electricity that can be transmitted via the Dhalkebar-Sitamadhi 400-kV transmission line being constructed by the Indian company, Satluj Vidhyut Nigam. The Indian company is constructing this transmission line for exporting electricity to be produced from the Arun III Hydropower Project. This company, which is constructing the Arun-III project, has also taken responsibility for constructing other projects as well. It will take long until these projects are completed.

Likewise, the meeting has agreed that the Joint Technical Committee will conduct a study on the feasibility of exporting power up to 200 megawatts through the 132 kV Tanakpur Mahendranagar transmission line or other high-voltage capacity transmission lines.

The meeting has approved the process and procedure on electricity export and import between Nepal and India during the monsoon via the existing transmission lines of 132 kV capacity or less by using the power transmission system of the neighbouring Indian states. These processes and procedures were prepared by the Central Electricity Authority of India in coordination with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and other agencies of India.

The meeting has also given the responsibility to the Joint Working Group for construction of additional two transmission lines of higher capacity. The 400-kV Yanrupa-Purnia transmission line and the New Lamki (Dododhara)-Bareily transmission line will be constructed between Nepal and India. The objective is to construct these two transmission lines until 2028. The modality of these transmission lines will also be finalized by the Joint Working Group.

The taskforce led by the Joint-Secretary of the Energy Ministry of the two countries will prepare the necessary modality for this.

Discussions have also been held in principle on having soon a separate tripartite agreement, in accordance with the Power Import and Export Guidelines of India, among NEA, the NTPC Vidhyut Vyapar Nigam of India and the Power Development Board of Bangladesh for export of 40 megawatts electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh by using India's transmission system. 

Based on this discussion, the necessary mechanism would be established for the three-nation partnership. This mechanism will make the necessary decisions, it is said.

These agreements related to transmission line and energy sector were reached in the context of Minister of External Affairs of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's visit to Nepal on January 4 and 5.

The Agreement Between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India on Long Term Power Trade was signed during the visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India, opening the door for the export of 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India from Nepal in 10 years.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Minister of External Affairs of India remotely inaugurated the 132 kV cross-border transmission lines between Nepal and India, namely the second circuit of Raxaul- Parwanipur line, the second circuit of Kataiya- Kusaha line and the New Nautanwa-Mainhiya lines.

Resident doctors working in Central Institutes in India have requested the government of Nepal to take steps to make sure that they get stipend from the medical colleges they are studying in.

Nepali resident doctors working in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi lament that they have to perform usual clinical/hospital duties as part of their courses without remuneration, while their Indian counterparts get more than InRs 100,000 for the same job.

At least 60 Nepali students enrolled in MD, MS, MDS, DM and MCH courses are working as resident doctors in one of India’s top medical colleges. They log 12 hours on a normal shift and have to put in 48 hours extra during emergencies, without getting paid.

As their long-pressed demand for stipend has gone unheard, resident doctors at AIIMS have requested the government of Nepal to take up the matter with India, once again.

Notably, earlier government effort in a similar case has paid off. 

Nepali students in Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh and Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry have been getting the stipend. 

These institutions started paying the Nepali students too after the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli raised the issue during his visit to India in 2020. 

However, AIIMs students in New Delhi and Rishikesh continue to struggle for the same, even after repeatedly requesting Indian and Nepali government authorities to address their concern.

“This comes as a huge economic burden for us, for our families and for our nation. Seats are allocated for Nepali medical students, but stipends are not provided. This needs to stop,” said Dr Laxman Bhagat, one of the representatives of the Nepalese Resident Doctors in AIIMS Delhi.

Despite repeated efforts from the doctors, including meetings with relevant officials and written communication with Indian government authorities, this issue remains unaddressed, said Dr Bhagat.

Notably, this is an instance of non-reciprocal treatment on the part of Indian authorities.  

Nepal has been providing stipend to post-graduate Indian students studying in Nepali medical colleges. The Indian students studying in the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University and BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan under self-financing schemes get a monthly stipend of Rs 33,000 and Rs 32,000 each.

It may be noted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, had written to AIIMS to inform the latter about amendments required in the act/rules/regulations to facilitate payment of stipend to students from Nepal enrolled in PG courses in AIIMS, New Delhi, to no avail. 

AIIMS offers postgraduate degrees in about 55 different specialties/super specialties.