India is an important development partner: DPM Singh

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, April 23: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh said that India has been an important development partner of Nepal. 

 During a courtesy call on by the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as the Minister of Power of India, DPM Singh said that Nepal-India relations are deep and diverse, marked by friendship and cooperation.

He said, "As close friends and neighbours, we share centuries-old traditions of social, cultural, religious, spiritual, economic linkages and close people-to-people contacts.

The DPM said, “We are happy that substantive progress has been made in enhancing connectivity and expanding economic cooperation. Major cross-border infrastructure projects such as Integrated Check Posts (ICP)s, rail linkages, petroleum products pipeline, power transmission lines, roads and motorable bridges have been implemented.

Singh stated to the Indian Minister  Manohar Lal that it is good to note the strong energy cooperation between Nepal and India. Also, there has been significant progress towards cross-border electricity trade and the building of various transmission lines and other identified cross-border links, which could potentially allow for the export of about 16 GW of power from Nepal to India by 2034-35.

The DPM also thanked India for allowing Nepal to export hydropower to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.

Singh recalled that there are various bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) on post-earthquake reconstruction projects. And extended happiness for successful completion of the projects agreed under the housing sector in 2021 and the education sector in 2024, and added that we look forward to early completion of projects in the health and cultural heritage sectors.

He also added that we are happy to note the progress in the construction of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) along the Nepal-India border with Indian grant assistance.