Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting to begin today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 4: The Seventh Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission, a high-level mechanism between the two countries is being held in Kathmandu on January 4 and 5.

The Joint Commission Meeting will review the overall state of bilateral relations and various areas of mutual cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, NP Saud, and Minister for External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, will co-chair the Meeting, leading their respective delegations.

Dr. Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on Thursday at the invitation of FM Saud to participate in the meeting.

During his visit, Minister Dr. Jaishankar will pay courtesy calls on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ 

FM Saud will also host a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitaries. Dr. Jaishankar will return to India on Friday. 

The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987 and provides a platform for both ministers to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India said in a statement that during the visit, Dr. Jaishankar would also call on the leadership of Nepal and meet prominent political figures. "Nepal is a priority partner of India under its ‘Neighbourhood First’policy. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of high level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours," read the statement of the MEA. 

The JC meeting will delve into the issues related to border, trade and commerce, economic cooperation, and energy trade. The experts with whom FM Saud solicited suggestions from also suggested that Nepal should give priority to issues like increasing export of goods and electricity to India, constructing and strengthening cross-border infrastructure, timely completion of bilateral projects and opening of the air routes.