The sixth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission (NIJC) which concluded in New Delhi, the capital city of India on January 15 reviewed all aspects of the bilateral relations between Nepal and India.
Acknowledging the close cooperation between the two countries in facing the challenges posed by COVID-19, the meeting reviewed several areas including the COVID-19 vaccine, connectivity and economic cooperation, boundary and border management, trade and transit, culture and education and power and water resources. The NIJC meeting was co-chaired by Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, and Dr. S. Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of India.
During the meeting, the Nepalese representative thanked the Government of India for its assistance with the essential medicines and medical equipment provided to Nepal in its fight against the pandemic. Responding to the request of Nepal to acquire COVID-19 vaccines, the Indian representative gave assurances that the requirements of Nepal would be a priority consideration after the roll-out of the vaccine.
The meeting also covered the boundary matter and expressed a commitment to find an early solution to the boundary issues in remaining areas. Discussions were also held regarding a review of the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950, the submission of the report of the Eminent Persons Group, and air entry routes.
The two Ministers expressed satisfaction regarding the progress achieved in increasing cross-border infrastructure and connectivity, the strengthening of a development partnership, and the rapid implementation of major ongoing projects and initiatives between the two countries. These major ongoing projects include the first cross-border petroleum products pipeline, Integrated Check Posts at major border crossing points, railway links, power transmission lines, the upgrading of roads and traffic-carrying bridges.
- The NIJC meeting agreed to further accelerate the implementation of the ongoing and planned bilateral projects, i.e. the new Integrated Check Posts/Inland Container Depot, including one at Dodhara-Chadani, remaining cross border railways, roads, and transmission lines.
- The meeting considered the progress made during discussions held between the two sides of the review of the bilateral treaties on trade, transit, and rail services.
- Both sides agreed to an early conclusion of the review of the Treaty of Trade, Treaty of Transit, and the amendments to the Rail Services Agreement with a view to further strengthening cooperation in these areas.
- The meeting also discussed progress regarding achieving connectivity through inland waterways.
- Both sides agreed to expedite the work on the 400 Kv Butwal-Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line.
- The meeting also agreed the early finalization of the detailed report for the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP), a bi-national hydropower project to be developed in the Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India.
- The meeting also considered the flood problems facing people living in border areas especially due to the non-tagging of embankments, the interlinking of drains and inadequate drainage provision.
Observing the momentum achieved in the Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum products pipeline, the two sides discussed the expansion of the pipeline to Chitwan of Nepal and the launch of a new pipeline on the eastern side connecting Siliguri in India to Jhapa in Nepal.
Welcoming the completion of the work on the first passenger railway line between Nepal and India, the meeting noted that operating procedures for the commencement of train services had been finalized. The Indian representative also stated that it would support two more cultural heritage projects in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Riverfront Development and the Bhandarkhal Garden Restoration in Patan Durbar, by offering grant assistance.
The Nepali delegation to the meeting included Nilamber Acharya, the Ambassador of Nepal to India, Bharat Raj Paudyal, the Foreign Secretary, Laxman Aryal, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Population, and officials from various ministries, departments, and the Embassy.
The NIJC was established in 1987 with the aim of reviewing and further strengthening all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries. The next meeting will take place in Nepal on a mutually convenient date to be decided.
