Jaishankar's First Visit Of 2024 To Nepal: Meeting Set With PM Dahal, Foreign Minister To Review Bilateral Relations

On Thursday (4 January), S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, had a meeting with Nepal's President, Ram Chandra Paudel, in his Kathmandu office. Jaishankar, who arrived in Nepal earlier today for his inaugural visit of 2024, expressed his anticipation for the upcoming engagements over the following two days.

Upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, he was greeted by Nepal's Foreign Secretary and other top officials, as reported by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Jaishankar also had a meeting with Nepal's Foreign Minister, NP Saud, with whom he had a discussion as they moved towards their vehicle.

In a message posted on X, Jaishankar expressed his delight at being back in Kathmandu, Nepal for his first visit in 2024 and his anticipation for the forthcoming two-day engagements.

During his stay, he is set to co-chair the 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting alongside his counterpart, NP Saud, Economic Times reported. As stated by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting will focus on reviewing the current status of bilateral relations and various mutual cooperation areas.

Founded in 1987, the India-Nepal Joint Commission serves as a venue for both ministers to examine every facet of their bilateral cooperation. In addition to this, Jaishankar is scheduled to engage with Nepal's leadership and interact with notable political personalities, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', is scheduled to have a meeting with him. The Foreign Minister of Nepal, NP Saud, will hold a dinner in honor of Jaishankar and his delegation, as stated in an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

In an interview with The Kathmandu Post, NP Saud revealed plans to sign two agreements and inaugurate three cross-border transmission lines. He also mentioned that there are more than three dozen items on the meeting agenda.

The meeting will involve discussions between the two sides on a range of topics, including connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources, as well as culture and education. The Kathmandu Post also reported that the two leaders will address issues that were agreed upon during Pushpa Kamal Dahal's official visit to Delhi in 2022.

Once the joint commission meeting concludes, India and Nepal are set to ink deals concerning enduring energy cooperation and an increase in funding for minor development projects under the High-impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), as reported by The Kathmandu Post.