NEW DELHI, Jan 15: The sixth meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission was co-chaired by Dr S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister and his Nepal counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in New Delhi on Friday. The two delegations included Harsh Vardhan Shringla Foreign Secretary of India, and Bharat Raj Paudyal Foreign Secretary of Nepal, and other senior officials from both sides.
Gyawali along with Paudyal and other delegates, who reached Indian capital on Thusday, are on a three-day visit to India.
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement stated, “The Joint Commission extensively reviewed all facets of multifaceted relations between the two countries and discussed ways to further enhance historically strong and friendly links. Both sides addressed a range of areas of cooperation, including connectivity, economy and commerce, power, oil and gas, water supply, political and security issues, border control, tourism, culture, education and capacity building. Significant and tangible progress has been made since the last meeting of the Joint Commission in taking range of bilateral measures. The fifth meeting of the Commission was held in Kathmandu seventeen months ago. The sixth meeting is taking place five months later than the determined time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The close cooperation between the two sides in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in the region has been noted. Nepal congratulated India on its impressive progress in manufacturing Covishield and Covaxin vaccines in India and called for early supply of vaccines to Nepal.
“Noting the milestone reached by the Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum pipeline, both sides addressed the extension of the pipeline to Chitwan and the development of a new pipeline on the east side linking Siliguri to Jhapa in Nepal.
“Both sides welcomed the completion of work on the first passenger rail line between India and Nepal from Jaynagar to Kurtha via Janakpur, and noted that operating procedures for commencement of train services had been finalized. Other cross-border rail link projects, including the proposed Raxaul-Kathmandu broad gauge railway line, were also addressed.
“The Joint Commission stressed the need to promote the movement of people and goods across borders. It was noted that the newly inaugurated Integrated Check Posts in Birgunj and Biratnagar helped to ensure the smooth movement of people and trade between the two countries. Both sides welcomed the launch of the building of the third ICP at Nepalgunj. India has suggested that the building of a new ICP at Bhairahwa will soon begin. Discussions were conducted on the expedition of joint hydropower ventures, including the planned Pancheshwar Multipurpose Scheme, which have various benefits for the citizens of both countries.
“India stated that it would pursue two additional cultural heritage projects in Nepal, namely, the Pashupatinath Riverfront Development and the renovation of Bhandarkhal Garden in Patan Durbar, with grants.
“Both sides shared opinions on international, regional and sub-regional cooperation. Nepal has voiced support for India’s permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council to represent the shifted balance of power. Both sides decided to arrange the next meeting of the Joint Commission in Nepal on mutually acceptable dates.”
(Venkatesh Iyer)