Nepal-India Joint Commission discuss a gamut of bilateral issues

 The sixth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission today reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations that included the important areas of Covid-19 vaccine, boundary and border management, connectivity and economic cooperation, trade and transit, power and water resources, and culture and education, among others, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Held in New Delhi today and co-chaired by foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar – as leaders of the respective delegations – the meeting of the Joint Commission also appreciated the close coordination between the two sides in facing the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the press note reads, adding that the Nepali side thanked the Government of India for its assistance of essential medicines and medical equipment. “On Nepal’s request for the Government of India’s support in availing Covid-19 vaccines, the Indian side assured that the requirements of Nepal would be in priority consideration after the roll-out of vaccines.”

The meeting discussed the boundary matter and expressed the commitment to early completion of the boundary works in the remaining segments. “It also discussed the review of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, submission of the report of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), and air entry routes,” the press note adds.

The two ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in increasing cross-border infrastructure and connectivity, strengthening of development partnership and expeditious implementation of major ongoing projects and initiatives, including the first cross-border petroleum products pipeline, Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at major border crossing points, railway links, power transmission lines, upgradation of roads and motorable bridges. The meeting also agreed to further speed up the implementation of the ongoing and planned bilateral projects such as the new Integrated Check Posts (ICP), Inland Container Depot (ICD), including at Dodhara-Chadani, remaining cross border railways, roads, and transmission lines, among others, the press note adds.

The Joint Commission deliberated on the progress in the discussions held between the two sides to review the bilateral treaties on trade, transit and rail services. “Both sides agreed for an early conclusion of the review of Treaty of Trade, Treaty of Transit and the amendments to Rail Services Agreement (RSA) with a view to further strengthen cooperation in these fields. They also discussed on progress in operationalisation of connectivity through inland waterways.

The meeting agreed to expedite the work for 400 Kv Butwal-Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line, it reads, adding that reiterating the importance of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and taking note of the positive discussion at the recent bilateral meeting of the secretary-level delegations held in New Delhi, the Joint Commission agreed for early finalisation of the project DPR. “The meeting also deliberated on the inundation problems facing people living in border areas especially due to non-tagging of embankments, interlinking of drains, and inadequate drainage provision.”

The Nepal-India Joint Commission was established in 1987 with a view to review and further strengthen all aspects of bilateral relations.

The Nepali delegation to the meeting included Nepali ambassador Nilamber Acharya, foreign secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal, health secretary Laxman Aryal and the officials of various ministries, departments and the Nepali embassy. Likewise, Indian external affairs minister Jaishanker was accompanied by Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and India’s ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra. 

Meanwhile, foreign minister Gyawali today gave a talk at the Indian Council of World Affairs (Sapru House) on ‘Nepal-India Relations’ and interacted with the distinguished audience comprising of former ambassadors, academics, think-tank analysts and media persons. 

The foreign minister reached New Delhi yesterday to participate in the meeting as its co-chair, though back home there is a hearing going at the Supreme Count on either the incumbent government led by KP Sharma Oli is caretaker or not as the prime minister dissolved the House of Representatives on December 20 and declared a mid-term poll, instead of facing no confidence motion in the House. Oli’s House dissolution move has been challenged in the Supreme Court. 

Before today’s Joint Commission meeting, Gyawali and Jaishankar held a one-on-one bilateral talk, sources at the Indian capital said, adding that the minister is also scheduled to hold high-level talks with the Indian authorities.

Nepal-Thailand enjoy excellent bilateral relations

 Thailand cherishes Nepal as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, remembered the Thai King.

King of Thailand Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua while accepting the Letters of Credence from Nepal’s ambassador Ganesh Prasad Dhakal said that Thailand cherishes Nepal as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The Thai King also said that the peoples of the two countries share similar way of life, in particular the practice of Buddhism, traditions and cultural values. The King also expressed his confidence that the close and fruitful friendship between the two countries would play an important part to bring about wide-ranging creative collaborations even further.

Dhakal presented his Letters of Credence to the Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua accrediting him as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Nepal to the Kingdom of Thailand amidst a special ceremony held at Ambara Villa, Dusit Palace today. 

Following the ceremony, ambassador Dhakal was granted an audience by the Thai King. During the audience, ambassador conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes from the President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari and prime minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli as well as from the people of Nepal for personal good health and happiness of the King, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Thailand.

Ambassador said that Nepal and Thailand enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which have been strengthened and expanded in multiple areas over the years. “The philosophy of Buddhism and cultural commonality are strong binding threads between the peoples of the two countries,” he added.

While welcoming the ambassador, the King also extended his best wishes for the personal happiness of the President, the Prime Minister as well as for the prosperity of Nepal and Nepali people, according to a press note issued by the Nepali Embassy in Thailand.

The Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana was also present during the credentials presentation ceremony, the press note reads, adding that deputy prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudvinai, and senior officials were also present in the ceremony.

Nepal-Israel sign agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic passports holders

 Nepal and Israel today signed an agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic passports holders.

Ambassador to Israel Anjan Shakya and Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi signed an agreement at a special function held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel in Jerusalem, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry. According to the arrangement, diplomatic passport holders of Nepal and Israel can enter each other's countries for 90 days without obtaining a visa.

Ambassador Shakya – after signing the agreement – suggested the Israeli foreign minister to extend the training period of Nepali students from the current 11 months. “The training period for best students, who are currently in Israel under the Learn and Earn Project, can be extended further so that they can gain additional knowledge expertise in their relevant fields,” she said.

Responding her, Israeli foreign minister also informed the resumption of employment opportunities to Nepali youths in the caregiving sector. “More Nepalis will be able to find jobs in Israel in the coming days,” he added.

France urged to encourage private sector to invest in Nepal

Nepal requested France to encourage its private sector to explore opportunities in the Nepali market given the political stability, policy and institutional reforms and a business-friendly environment lately.
During the first Bilateral Consultation Mechanism held in Kathmandu today, the French side also stressed on the need to enhance Nepal’s competitive edge, including through branding its organic products. The meeting also agreed to provide cooperation towards making the Visit Nepal Year 2020 (VNY2020) a success.
The Bilateral Consultation Mechanism – at the foreign ministry level – has been formed to reviewing the bilateral relations and sharing views on regional and international issues of common interest on a regular basis between Nepal and France. The joint secretary of Foreign Ministry Nirmal Raj Kafle and ambassador of France to Nepal Francois Xavier Leger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), on behalf of their respective governments, in Kathmandu this morning, to form the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. On the occasion, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and the Nepali and French delegates to the first meeting of the mechanism were present. The foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and director for Asia and Oceania of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Thierry Mathou led their respective delegations to the meeting.
During the meeting, the two sides also took stock of all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation between the two countries. They also shared views on the importance of continuing the exchange of high level visits, in the context of the successful visit of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to France this June.
The two sides, on the occasion, also discussed the various ways and means of enhancing economic partnership, including in the areas of trade, tourism and investment, and promoting people-to-people contacts. “They discussed on matters of regional and international importance during the meeting,” a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry reads. “The two ministries agreed to further engage in several issues of common interest such as Climate Change and the UN Peacekeeping,” it reads, adding that France will positively consider its meaningful participation in Sagarmatha Sambaad – international dialogue dedicated to important issues of Climate Change and its effects on mountains – going to be organised by Nepal.
Prior to the meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, director Mathou paid a courtesy call on Gyawali at the latter’s office..

After 35 years, SAARC is a non starter

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) turned 35 years today but is still a non starter.
After three-and-a-half decades of existence, the platform has largely failed to advance its own central tenet, the regional cooperation. Marking the 35th anniversary, the heads of governments in SAARC expressed their commitment to regional cooperation but their commitment to regional cooperationhas failed to ever translate into action. The regional association has failed to hold its 19th summit, ever since 2016 when India suddenly decided to pull out of a planned meeting in Islamabad, accusing Pakistan of failing to control cross-border terrorism. The regional platform – of eight South Asian countries – has largely been held hostage to the India-Pakistan rivalry.
But the regional platform prohibits discussion on bilateral issues and the Indo-Pak historical baggage always has been a major blockade in the path of the SAARC not it seems to have any immediate progress in holding the summit due to the Indian government’s recent decision on Jammu and Kashmir to strip the special status.
The decision of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change Kashmir’s status and tighten the Indian government’s grip over the region in August has stoked anger and resentment while a three-decade armed revolt rages.
But Nepal – as the current chair of SAARC – could take steps to reach out to both India and Pakistan and hold the summit. Nepal itself has its own boundary dispute with India and the government has not able to talk to the Indian leadership on the border dispute, though Nepali Communists have been making it a political agenda to win the election time and again.
Some blame the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – since his rise in India in 2014 – that he has attempted to eschew SAARC  to circumvent Pakistan and pushing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a sub-regional grouping that does not include Pakistan.
On the occasion, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that Nepal, as the current chair, is firmly committed to the SAARC Charter, its principles and its objectives. “As a founding member and current chair of SAARC, Nepal pledges to continue to constructively engage with fellow members to collectively realise the hope of the people of this region,” Oli said in his message. But Nepal has also not done anything constructive to make the platform more dynamic.
As SAARC chair, Nepal should have atleast convene a foreign secretary-level meeting or a meeting on eliminating terrorism, though no other country in the region can force India as they are not comparable to India in terms of geography, economy, military strength and influence in the global arena.
Due to failure of the multilateralism including SAARC like regional forums – across the world – the countries have been slowly turning into stronger bilateral relations. The SAARC conferences – in the past – had signed various agreements in the last 35 years though most of them are yet to be implemented.
On the occasion of 35th SAARC Charter Day that falls on December 8, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also issued their statements. Modi called for greater collaboration among the SAARC member states to act against the scourge of terrorism, according to Indian media reports. “SAARC has made progress but more needs to be done. Our efforts for greater collaboration have repeatedly been challenged with threats and act of terrorism.”
Modi said that the regional organisation was set up ‘to build a connected and integrated South Asia’ and aims to promote ‘development and progress of all countries in the region’ and New Delhi will continue to ‘support various initiatives to achieve closer cooperation in diverse areas’.
Likewise, Prime Minister Khan – in his statement – said that Pakistan believes the effective and result-oriented regional cooperation can only be achieved by adhering to the cardinal principles of sovereign equality and mutual respect as enshrined in the SAARC Charter.
“December 8 marks the day when leaders with vision and foresight adopted the SAARC Charter and pledged to work together for the progress and prosperity of South Asia," Khan said, in the statement posted on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.
On December 8, 1985, at the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka, the leaders of the seven South Asian states –the Maldives, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – signed a charter to establish the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Afghanistan joined as the youngest SAARC member in 2007. SAARC Charter Day is commemorated every year to mark the signing of this Charter, and lately it has just become only a 'ritual'.

First Nepal-New Zealand bilateral consultation meeting

Nepal-New Zealand first bilateral Foreign Ministry Consultation meeting concluded here in Kathmandu today.
During the meeting, the two sides took stock of various aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation especially through enhancing economic engagements between the two countries, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.
On the occasion, joint secretary at the South East Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) Division Tapas Adhikari and additional secretary at the South and South East Asia Division under Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand Andrew Needs led their country’s respective delegations to the meeting.
The meeting also discussed the Climate Change issue and participation of New Zealand in the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad’ to be held in coming April in Kathmandu.
The New Zealand delegation included non-resident ambassador of New Zealand to Nepal Joanna Kempers, second secretary at the New Zealand Embassy in New Delhi Daniel Thompson. Similarly, the Nepali delegation included under secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Surendra Kumar Yadav, under secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Srijana Tiwari, section officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ram Babu Nepal and officials from other governmental agencies.

German vice minister visiting Nepal

German vice minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Norbert Barthle is arriving in Kathmandu tomorrow on a three-day visit to Nepal.
The visit underlines Germany’s wish to continue its long-standing partnership with Nepal by adding a new dimension to it, according to a press note issued by German Embassy in Kathmandu.
During his stay in Nepal, the vice minister will call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and discuss political and economic matters. He is also scheduled to hold meeting with other government officials and attend Germany National Day celebration as a guest of honour tomorrow, the press note reads, adding that he will attend the inauguration of the German Technical School in Dhunebesi Municipality in Dhading district on Friday. “He is also scheduled to inaugurate the National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC), which is financially supported through the German Development Cooperation with a grant of 7 million euros.”
The NLDC is technically-improved and will be the heart of the Nepali power grid. “Strong development cooperation will continue as in the past six decades,” the press note further reads, adding that it will be showcased by the inauguration of the Load Dispatch Center. “Energy, especially renewal energy, is one of the three pillars of German-Nepali cooperation, the other two being health and sustainable economic development.”
According to the press note, Germany will also continue to make significant contributions through the European Union (EU) as well as multilateral institutions, namely the development banks and the UN System. “However, as Nepal is opening a new political and economic chapter of its life as a nation, its partnership with Germany will also change,” German envoy to Nepal Roland Schäfer is quoted in the press note. “Private industries from Germany are starting to explore opportunities in Nepal.”
Ambassador Schäfer said – according to the press note – that vice minister Barthle will also meet with the participants of the first business-to-business forum. “The visiting minister’s support to the German Technical School in Dhading shows that professional training will be key to developing future industrial relationship with Germany and the whole of Europe.”

Nepal, India agree to review trade treaty

Nepal and India today agreed to review the bilateral trade treaty.
During the two-day commerce joint secretary level-talks that ended today, both sides agreed to review issues related to bilateral trade and commerce.
According to minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Yadav, both the nations have agreed to take steps like comprehensive review of the existing bilateral trade treaty, to further boost two-way commerce. “The bilateral talks focused on enhanced cooperation to stop unauthorised trade in both nations,” he said, adding that officials of the two countries sat down for the third round of talks to review the bilateral treaty of trade in New Delhi on Thursday and Friday. “The talk is expected to prepare groundwork and other provisions to review the trade treaty.”
The nine-member committee – led by joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Nabaraj Dhakal – comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had left for New Delhi on Thursday to hold talks with joint secretary of the Department of Commerce under Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India Bhupinder Singh Bhalla led Indian delegation at the joint secretary-level meeting. “Nepal and India also finalised the draft of a mutual recognition agreement in the trade of agricultural goods,” he said, adding that after the agreement goes into effect, the two countries will recognise the quality certificates issued by each other.
The ministry has informed that officials also discussed on possible ways to address Nepal’s ballooning trade deficit with India and introduce and amend provisions in the trade treaty to ease bilateral trade.  Meanwhile, it has been agreed upon to include possible concerns raised by both Nepal and India in the revised treaty.
“India has agreed to address Nepal’s concerns related to simplifying trade with the southern neighbour by addressing both tariff and non-tariff barriers,” Yadav said, adding that he would, however, disclose the details of the agreement after the negotiating team submits its report to him. “The meeting also was positive on addressing Nepal’s agenda to drop the zero-tariff facility on Indian agricultural goods and some other primary products.”
Earlier, officials from both the nations had held two meetings on reviewing the bilateral trade treaty in New Delhi on August 9 last year and in Pokhara on February 7 and 8.
Likewise, the February 8 meeting in Pokhara had agreed to declare inland waterways as ‘trade route’ in Nepal-India Trade Treaty. India has principally agreed to allow landlocked Nepal to use three inland waterways, which will help expand Nepal’s transit options to the sea. “Nepal can even operate its own vessels on the Ganges River that runs parallel to the southern border.”
A draft of the letter of exchange on the inland waterways was finalised during the bilateral trade talks,” Dhakal informed.
Nepal and India had issued a joint statement on establishing new connectivity through inland waterways during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to New Delhi in April 2018. Earlier, India has also consented to grant access to the Kolkata-Kalughat, Raxaul; Kolkata-Sahebgunj, Biratnagar and Kolkata-Varanasi-Raxaul routes during the trade talks.
Last March, the two countries formed a joint technical team to study the possibility of operating waterway transportation over various routes. The technical team identified the three routes via Haldia port as the most viable routes for inland waterway transportation between the two countries.
India has developed a waterway on the Ganges River connecting Varanasi and the seaport of Haldia, Kolkata. Access to the Indian waterways will facilitate efficient movement of cargo imported from third countries to Nepal, though the idea seems too far fetched despite Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s dream of ferrying ship in Nepal.
The provision could get legitimacy, after it is signed at the next Inter-Governmental Committee meeting.
India currently grants duty-free access to Nepali products with at least 30 per cent value addition. “India has agreed in principle to implement policy considering Nepali products from the customs tariff headings to the customs tariff subheadings, ensuring flexibility in the goods imported from Nepal,” the ministry informed. “Revising duty-free access for agricultural goods, revising the agriculture reform fee imposed by Nepal on Indian farm products, and removing Indian quotas on four Nepali products were among the major items on the agenda.”
Nepal has been asking India to lift the quantitative restriction on the import of acrylic yarn, copper utensils, vegetable ghee and zinc oxide, which has been in place since 2002.

Nepal, Ghana establish formal diplomatic relations

Nepal and Ghana established formal diplomatic relations today.
As part of making diplomatic relations as wider as possible, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his Ghanaian counterpart Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey signed a Joint Communiqué to that effect. With the agreement, the number of countries Nepal has established diplomatic relations has now reached 168.
The two ministers also held a bilateral meeting prior to the signing of the Communiqué. They also shared the confidence that the diplomatic ties will help bring the two countries and peoples closer on the bilateral front, while continuing their collaboration at multilateral forums, according to a pess note issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN in New York.

Two-day commerce joint secretary-level meeting in Delhi next week

Nepali and Indian Commerce Ministry officials are scheduled to meet next week in New Delhi to discuss issues related to trade and commerce. The meeting on Thursday will also review the Nepal-India bilateral trade treaty, according to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.
Though the meeting will not be decisive on reviewing the trade treaty, the two-day meeting will focus on simplifying the existing barriers to bilateral trade. The two-day meeting will dwell on ways to address Nepal’s ballooning trade deficit with India and introduce and amend provisions in the trade treaty to ease bilateral trade, the ministry claimed, adding that adding that Nepal’s priority will be to simplify country’s trade with India by addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers. “The meeting will also finalise agendas for reviewing trade treaty, which were discussed during previous two meetings.”
This is the third time that the two countries are sitting together to discuss the review of the trade treaty. “Nepal has also urged Indian authorities to allow shipment of bulk cargo from additional entry points,” joint secretary at the ministry Navaraj Dhakal said, adding that imported bulk cargo from third countries currently can be transported only via Brigunj. “Currently, bulk cargo imported from third countries through Kolkata, Haldiya or Visakhapatnam ports can be transported only to the Birgunj border point in Nepal.”
Bulk cargo includes fertilizer, sugar, soybean, salt, oil cake and raw plastic materials. “Nepal has also urged Indian authorities to lift quantitative import restrictions on different products, including vegetable ghee and yarn,” he added.
Nepal has also been asking India to allow the use of additional sea ports. India has agreed to allow Nepal to use two other sea ports at Dhamra in Orissa and Mundra in Gujarat. Nepal seeks to use these ports as alternatives to Kolkata and Visakhapatnam.
Likewise, India has been asking Nepal to lift the 5 per cent agriculture service fee charged on imported Indian farm items but Nepal has been refusing to cancel the fee stating that it would affect the competitiveness of Nepali agricultural products.
Nepal and India are also looking forward to using inland waterways to transport cargo from Indian ports to the Nepali border. According to the ministry, India has started inland waterways from Kolkata to Varanasi along the Ganga River. India has expressed readiness to extend the routes up to the Nepal border along the Narayani River once the infrastructure is built in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states.
The meeting will likely finalise the amendments planned to be made to the Treaty of Transit to streamline trade, which will be approved by the Nepal-India Intergovernmental Committee – a mechanism to solve trade-related issues between the two countries – soon.
Earlier, Commerce Ministry officials of both the countries had held review meeting on the bilateral trade treaty in New Delhi on August 9 and in Pokhara on February 7 and 8.
“The joint secretary-level meet will discuss finalising the agenda, which was sent to the second round of meetings held last March,” according to Dhakal.
Developing infrastructure at the customs points on the border between the two countries was also discussed at the last trade talks, he said, adding that India has provided 22 designated routes for bilateral trade. “India has upgraded the Birgunj-Raxaul customs checkpoint while work at the Biratnagar-Jogbani point is nearing completion, but little progress is being made in the construction of infrastructure at the Bhairahawa-Sunauli and Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha points.”
A cabinet meeting last Tuesday formed a nine-member Nepali team led by Dhakal to participate in the talks. The committee-led by joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Nabaraj Dhakal comprises representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The last time the treaty was revised was in 2009.

Nepal-Belgium first BCM meeting concludes in Kathmandu

The first-ever meeting of the Nepal-Belgium Bilateral Consultation Mechanism concluded here in Kathmandu today.
During the meeting, the two sides took stock of all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on further promoting cooperation between the two countries, according to a press note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Views were also exchanged on the importance of exploring high-level visits and engaging in global issues such as Climate Change, and on the role of the upcoming Sagarmatha Sambaad in this regard.”
The two sides, on the occasion, discussed the various ways of enhancing cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, and investment apart from promoting people-to-people contacts, the press note reads, adding that the regional and international issues of mutual interests were also discussed during the meeting.”Foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and director general for Bilateral Affairs of the Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium Anick Van Calster led their respective delegations during the meeting.”
The Belgian delegation comprises of Non Residential Ambassador of Belgium to Nepal Francois Delhaye, deputy director Asia-Pacific Department of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Arnout Pauwels, first secretary at the Belgian Embassy in New Delhi Alain Baetens, and Desk Officer Asia-Pacific of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Roel Markey as well as the honorary consul of Belgium in Kathmandu Ang Tsering Sherpa.
Likewise, the Nepali delegation included ambassador of Nepal to Belgium Lok Bahadur Thapa, joint secretary and head of Europe and America Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nirmal Raj Kafle, undersecretary at Ministry of Finance Tek Bahadur Khatri and officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism was signed between Nepal and Belgium on June 27, 2018. “The next meeting of the Mechanism will take place in Brussels at a mutually convenient date,” the press note reads.

Nepal-India to review projects

The fifth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission is being held in Kathmandu this Wednesday.
Foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and his Indian counterpart Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will co-chair the meeting, leading their respective delegations, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry.
The Joint Commission meeting on August 21-22 will review the overall state of bilateral relations, and various areas of cooperation such as connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources sectors, culture, education and other matters of mutual interest, the press note reads.
The Nepal-India Joint Commission was established in June 1987. Its meetings are held alternately in Nepal and India. However, the last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in New Delhi in October 2016, some three years ago.
During the visit, the Indian external affairs minister will pay courtesy calls on the President Mrs Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, the press note reads, adding that foreign minister Gyawali will host a dinner in honour of the visiting external affairs minister of India S Jaishankar.

Nepal, India agree to expedite bilateral project works

The seventh meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism held in Kathmandu today reviewed the progress of bilateral projects, and agreed to expedite works by overcoming obstacles.
The meeting – co-chaired by foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri – also reviewed the status of implementation of all ongoing bilateral projects including cross-border railways, petroleum pipelines, roads, integrated check posts, bridges, energy, irrigation, inundation, agriculture, and post-earthquake reconstruction.
Both sides agreed to address the problems and overcome obstacles to ensure smooth implementation of the projects, according to a press note issued by the Foreign Ministry after the meeting.
They also agreed to expedite the works to complete the projects on time, it reads, adding that the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was set up – after the state visit of Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal in September 2016 – to oversee the implementation of bilateral projects, and and take necessary steps for their completion in time. “The eighth meeting of the mechanism will take place on a mutually convenient date.'

भारतका पूर्वोत्तर राज्यसँग नेपालको आर्थिक साझेदारी

गान्तोक (सिक्किम)-नेपाल तथा भारतका पूर्वोत्तर राज्यबीच आर्थिक साझेदारी बढाउने संस्थागत प्रयास सुरु भएको छ । भारतका पूर्वोत्तर राज्यसँग नेपालको साझेदारी बढाउने सम्बन्धमा शुक्रबार आयोजित कार्यक्रममा दुवै मुलुकका विज्ञहरूले लगानीकर्ताबीच एकआपसमा विभिन्न तहमा सहकार्य गर्नुपर्ने धारणा राखेका छन् । उनीहरूले वस्तुको ओसारपसार तथा मानिसको सहज आवागमनका लागि हाल रहेका व्यवधानहरू हटाउन पहल गर्नुपर्ने एवं एक आपसमा नयाँ लगानीका अवसरहरू खोज्नुपर्ने धारणा राखे । शुक्रबार भारतको सिक्किम राज्यमा आयोजित गोष्ठीको उद्घाटन गर्दै सिक्किमका मुुख्यमन्त्री प्रेमसिंह तामाङले विस्तृत क्षेत्रीय साथै उपक्षेत्रीय आर्थिक सहयोग र सहकार्यका निम्ति संयुक्त पहलका अवसरहरूबारे आफ्नो भावी दृष्टिको विस्तृत जानकारी गराएका छन् । यसैगरी, भारतका लागि नेपाली राजदूत निलम्बर आचार्यले पर्यटन, कृषि एवं खाद्य प्रशोधन, ऊर्जा, पूर्वाधार, स्वास्थ्य स्याहार, शिक्षा, कौशल विकास तथा स्टार्टअप र सेवालगायतका क्षेत्रमा ‘पूर्वी सम्पर्क’को सक्रिय अनि उत्कृष्ट पहलमार्फत् विकासको अपेक्षित लक्ष्य हासिल गर्न भारत र नेपालबीच साझेदारीलाई अझ व्यापकता दिनसक्ने जनाए । लगानीका अवसरहरू खोज गर्दै भारतको पूर्वोत्तर राज्यहरू तथा नेपालको आर्थिक विकासमा सहभागी बन्न पीएचडीसीसीआईअन्तर्गत भारत नेपाल केन्द्र (आईएनसी) र राज्य विकास परिषद् (एसडीसी)द्वारा नेपाली राजदूतावास नयाँदिल्लीको सहयोगमा ‘भारत नेपाल आर्थिक साझेदारी शिखर सम्मेलन’ आयोजना भएको हो । सम्मेलनमा विभिन्न वक्ताहरूले पर्यटन, कृषि एवं खाद्य प्रशोधन, ऊर्जा, पूर्वाधार, स्वास्थ्य स्याहार, शिक्षा, कौशल विकास तथा स्टार्टअप र सेवा क्षेत्र लगायतका क्षेत्रमा ‘पूर्वी सम्पर्क’को सक्रिय अनि उत्कृष्ट पहलमार्फत् नेपालको आर्थिक विकासको अपेक्षित लक्ष्य हासिल गर्न भारत र नेपालबीच साझेदारीमाथि केन्द्रित हुनुपर्ने जनाए । यस क्षेत्रको नीति निर्णयमा महत्वपूर्ण प्रभाव राख्ने नीति निर्माताहरूको सक्रिय अन्तक्र्रियामा उनीहरूले लगानी तथा व्यापारका लागि बृहत् अनि प्रामाणिक सम्भावनाहरूबारे अवगत गराउँदै सिक्किम र नेपालबीच दुईतर्फी लगानीको अवसरको खाका पनि प्रस्तुत गरिएको थियो । उक्त अवसरमा सिक्किमका मुख्यसचिव आलोक श्रीवास्तले व्यापारका निम्ति सहायक अनि प्रगतिशील रहेको सिक्किमको विकासीय रूपरेखाको जानकारी दिए । अतिरिक्त सचिव तथा उद्योग एवं वाणिज्य विभागका सचिव थोमस चाण्डीले नेपाली उद्यमीहरूलाई स्वागत गर्दै विशेषगरी पर्यटन र जैविक खेतीको क्षेत्रमा सहकार्यको नयाँ अध्याय सुरु गर्न आह्वान गरे । जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालयका प्रोफेसर तथा विघटिछ ईपीजी सदस्य प्रो. महेन्द्र पी. लामाले सिक्किम र नेपालबीच आर्थिक सहकार्य विस्तारको निम्ति महत्वपूर्ण ऐतिहासिक साथै समकालीन तथ्यहरूबारे प्रकाश पारे । नेपाल एसबीआई बैंकका सीईओ अनुकुल भटनागरले लगानीको निम्ति नेपालमा उपलब्ध वित्तीय सुविधाहरूबारे अवगत गराए । उनले नेपालमा लगानीको प्रशस्त सम्भावना रहेको भन्दै लगानीको लागि आह्वान पनि गरे । 

यसैगरी, कारोबार राष्ट्रिय आर्थिक दैनिक मिडिया पार्टनर रहेको उक्त गोष्ठीमा पीएचडीसीसीआई अन्तर्गतको भारत नेपाल केन्द्रका अध्यक्ष तथा नेपालको निम्ति भारतका पूर्वराजदूत केभी राजनले आर्थिक सहकार्यलाई गति प्रदान गर्न भारत र नेपालबीच सामाजिक सांस्कृतिक सद्भावलाई संस्थागत बनाउनुपर्ने आवश्यकतामाथि जोड दिए ।पूर्वराजदूत केभी राजनद्वारा अध्यक्षता गरिएको सम्मेलनको पहिलो प्राविधिक सत्रमा ‘नेपालमा औद्योगिक प्रवर्तनः द्विदेशीय कारोबार नीतिको पुनरावलोकन तथा उपक्षेत्रीय सहकार्यको विस्तार’ सत्रमा सीमा क्षेत्र विकास तथा बीबीआईएनमाथि छलफल भएको थियो । उक्त सत्रमा नेपाल राजदूतावासका आर्थिक सहचारी तीर्थ पौडेल, सिक्किमका पूर्व लोकसभा सांसद पीडी राई, सूचना एवं जनसम्पर्क विभागका सचिव श्रीमती शेराब सेंगा, आईसीएफएआई विश्वविद्यालय, सिक्किमका उपकुलपति डा. जगन्नाथ पटनायक, केन्द्रीय कृषि विश्वविद्यालयका उपकुलपति डा. पीपी डब्राल, सिक्किम विश्वविद्यालयका डीन त्रिलोक देवान, आन्ध्र प्रदेशका पूर्व मुख्यसचिव, जीटीएका सल्लाहकार एवं पूर्व प्रधान सचिव, दार्जीलिङका पूर्वविधायक, सिक्किम सरकारका पर्यटन सल्लाहकार राज बसुले सहभागिता जनाएका थिए । यसैगरी, ‘नीतिगत सुधार तथा नेपालमा कारोबार गर्न सहजता, नेपालमा क्षेत्रगत सम्भावनाः नेपाल तथा पूर्वोत्तरमा (सिक्किमको विशेष सन्दर्भमा) औद्योगिक विकासको निम्ति निवेशको प्रवाहीकरण’ विषयक दोस्रो सत्रको समन्वय भारत नेपाल केन्द्रका उपसचिव एवं समन्वयकर्ता अतुलकुमार ठाकुरले गरेका थिए । उक्त सत्रमा इन्टरस्टेट मल्टीमोडल ट्रान्सपोर्ट (प्रा.) लि अन्तर्गत फ्लिट लजिस्टिकका कार्यकारी निर्देशक विकास रौनियार, अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय कारोबार विशेषज्ञ डा. पानु पाजो, पूर्वाधारका सल्लाहकार कर्णल मणि गहतराज, शिक्षाविद् गायत्री राई, कृषि तथा खाद्य परिशोधन उद्यमी अभिमन्यु ढकालले नेपाल तथा उत्तर भारतीय राज्यको बीचमा कसरी लगानी तथा उद्यमशीलता विकास गर्ने भन्ने बारेमा छलफल गरेका थिए । यस्तै, कारोबार राष्ट्रिय आर्थिक दैनिकका सम्पादक कुबेर चालिसेले सम्मेलनको समापन गर्दै नेपाल भारत सीमामा संयुक्त विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र स्थापना गर्नुपर्ने तथा सीमामा व्यवस्थित हाटबजारको स्थापनाले दुुवै देशका लगानीकर्ताा तथा कृषकहरू लाभान्वित हुने बताए ।

Nepal-India partnership summit to promote cross border trade

Progress Harmony For Development Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi is organising ‘India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit’ on Friday at Gangtok in Sikkim.
PHDCCI – under aegis of its India-Nepal Centre (INC) / State Development Council (SDC) and in association with the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi – is organising ‘India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit’ to explore the trade and investment opportunities and to participate in the economic development of both India’s Northeast Region and Nepal, according to the organizer.
The summit will focus on the sectors where India-Nepal co-operation can be further boosted through proactive and sublime ‘East Connection’ to achieve the desired goals for Nepal’s economic development  from tourism to agriculture and food processing, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, skill development  and start-ups to services, according to deputy secretary and coordinator SDC, India Nepal Centre, Atul K Thakur.
The summit aims at hosting the key industry and government stakeholders from both the countries who are either already involved with the industrial development of Nepal or have genuine urge to be part of it. “Also, the Summit will facilitate two-ways investment opportunities between India and Nepal through sensitising the Indian industry and investors – especially those located in India’s Northeast and neighbouring countries – and Nepalese counterparts to come in term with the strong possibilities that Nepal offers unwaveringly for businesses and investments,” he added.
PHDCCI has been closely working with the Government of Nepal and the leading industry bodies of Nepal. Likewise, PHDCCI’s India-Nepal Centre promotes two-way bilateral economic and business relations between India and Nepal.
Former Indian Ambassador to Nepal K V Rajan is the chair of India-Nepal Centre and Atul K Thakur is its coordinator, whereas vice president of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) Nirvana Chaudhary is the chair of Centre’s Nepal Chapter.
The summit also aims at bringing closer the policymakers in government and industry captains to discuss and ideate for the way forward and broaden the base of Nepalese economy through next-wave of economic and governance reforms. It will also explore the potential of road, railway and air networks in Nepal and ‘common factors’ and leveraging on the same for attracting investment from Northeast and India at large, Thakur said, adding that the summit will also bring-in to notice the hidden potential in Border Area Development Programme and paving the way for India’s major involvement in helping the infrastructural facelift of Nepal’s bordering districts in West Bengal and Bihar – and making them the gateways of Northeast-Nepal Trade Connection. “It will also discuss and ideate for making Cluster-based Economic Zones across Nepal.”
Through the summit, the efforts are being made to create and sustain a framework of deeper regional and sub-regional economic cooperation, informed Thakur.
The summit – that has Karobar National Economic Daily as its media partner – will also have sessions on 'Promoting Industry in Nepal, Revisiting Bilateral Trade Policies, Expanding Sub-regional Cooperation, Border Area Development, MSMEs, Destination Sikkim, SAARC, BBIN and BCIM' and 'Policy Reforms and Ease of Doing Business in Nepal, Sectoral Possibilities in Nepal, Channelising Investment (both-ways) for Industrial Development in Nepal and Northeast (with special reference to Sikkim).

Nepal, Belgium pact to spur economic ties

Nepal and Belgium today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral consultation between the two countries.
Foreign secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and secretary general of Belgium Dirk Achten signed the agreement on behalf of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and Belgium in Brussels today.
According to the MoU, Nepal and Belgium will hold consultations either in Kathmandu and Brussels or on the sidelines of international conferences to review their bilateral relations and cooperation. They also shared their views on the importance of exchange of high level visits, according to a press release issued by Nepali Embassy in Brussels.
The two sides while acknowledging huge potentials for enhancing economic collaboration and cooperation between the two countries underlined the need to promote trade, tourism and investment, it reads, adding that they also shared views on regional and global issues of mutual concerns and underlined the importance of multilateralism to address global issues facing the international community.
Similarly, foreign secretary Bairagi also had a meeting with the director general of the Directorate General of International Cooperation and Development of the Commission Stefano Manservisi at the latter’s office in Brussels.
Secretary Bairagi and DG Manservisi reviewed EU’s support to Nepal‘s development efforts in areas of sustainable rural development, education, health and good governance among others. They discussed the need to enhance Nepal-EU cooperation on knowledge generation, trade, investment and tourism, the press note adds.

Nepal-India agree new loans, to push ongoing hydro projects

Nepal and India today signed an agreement for a line of credit (LoC) of $750 million for post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal.
"We have today signed the agreement for a line of credit of $750 million for post-earthquake reconstruction of Nepal," Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a speech at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, according to the Press Information Bureau at the office of the Indian prime minister. "I am confident that it would bring relief to millions of people affected by last year's devastating earthquake in Nepal," he added.
India has also agreed to extend additional LoC for new projects such as Phase-2 of  the Tarai Roads, power transmission lines, substations and a polytechnic in Kaski, Modi said, adding that India's initiatives for open skies, cross-border power trade, transit routes and cross-border connectivity would directly benefit Nepal and help strengthen economic partnership. "Nepal and India are also closely working on a range of areas of economic engagement including energy and water resources sectors," he said.
"Prime Minister Prachanda and I agreed to push for speedy and successful implementation of the ongoing hydro-power projects, and development and operationalisation of transmission lines," he said, adding that it would be a source of much needed energy, and revenue generation for Nepal.
Modi also said that he and the visiting Nepali prime minister have agreed to showcase the shared Buddhist heritage and focus on the development of Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine, apart from agreeing to focus on close monitoring and time-bound completion of all development projects. "I and the Nepali prime minister are confident that our decisions today would provide strength to the economic engagement and take it to new heights."
The $750-million credit line is over and above the $1 billion – $250 million as grants and $750 million as a soft loan – which India announced following the devastating earthquake in Nepal last year that claimed over 8,000 lives.
Likewise, Nepal and India also signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) for project management consultancy services for upgrading and improving the road infrastructure in Nepal's Tarai area.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) – an Indian government company under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways that is mandated to build a network of roads in tough terrain, including the north eastern Indian states – is going to provide consultancy to the Nepal government for construction of 10 postal roads in the Tarai region bordering India, at a cost of Indian IRs 5 billion.
Likewise, Nepal and India also signed another agreement on a first amendatory dollar credit line for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal, according to the PIB.
However, Nepal has failed to prepare projects to absorb the earlier line of credit (LoC) of $1 billion announced by Modi in 2014. Nepal has only been able to absorb only $550 million out of the total.
Of the total of LoC announced in 2014, a total of 14 road projects including small ones and local ones have been identified that could consume $330 million, while $200 million has been allocated for two irrigation projects.

Nepal, India agree on smoothening cross-border vehicular movement

India is devising a web-based solution to facilitate two-way traffic between Nepal and India.
The first meeting of the Nepal-India Cross Border Transport Facilitation Joint Working Group (JWG) under the Motor Vehicle Agreement for regulation of passenger vehicular traffic between the two countries – held in New Delhi on July 16-17 – recommended the web-based solution to facilitate movement of vehicles across the Nepal- India border.
National Informatics Centre (NIC) – the IT-solution provider of Indian government – will design a web-based solution for the issue of online permits under the bilateral Nepal-India Motor Vehicle Agreement," a press note released after the meeting reads.
The web-based solution will help issue, monitor and verify permits for non-scheduled and personal passenger vehicles, it says, adding that the new online vehicle permit system – after being developed by NIC – would be demonstrated to Nepal for consideration, suggestions and concurrence.
The new system would facilitate procurement of vehicle permits for people based in far-flung and remote areas, it adds.
After concurrence by both sides, the web-based portal for issue of vehicle permits would be tested on a pilot basis at Birgunj-Raxaul and Bhairahawa-Sunauli border points. The existing manual and traditional system for the issuing of vehicle permits being used by both countries would continue simultaneously.
The joint-secretary-level meeting – that saw an eight-member delegation from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management and their counterpart Indian delegation led by India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – also agreed for rationalising permit fees, customs duty and bank guarantees for different categories of vehicles.
Likewise, the Indian side told Nepal that free Wi-Fi service and a tracking system have been installed on the Delhi-Kathmandu route.
The JWG also recommended starting regular bus services between India and Nepal in four new routes including Kathmandu-Patna-Bodhgaya, Mahendranagar-New Delhi, Siliguri-Kakarbhitta-Kathmandu and Janakpur-Patna.
Currently, regular bus services between Kathmandu and New Delhi and between Kathmandu and Varanasi are in operation.
The new routes will improve connectivity and seamless movement between Nepal and the border states of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Uttarakhand, the note says.