External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar virtually handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage projects to Nepal under the Reconstruction programme post 2015 earthquake, after meeting with his visiting Nepali counterpart Shisir Khanal in New Delhi. The two leaders jointly launched the linkage between UPI (Unified Payments Interface) in India and the National Payments Interface of Nepal for facilitating cross-border personal remittances.
Both leaders also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University for co-creating the National Digital Infrastructure for a ‘Voice First’ Language Translation platform for Nepal. Dr Jaishankar also reiterated India’s commitment to work with Nepal for the mutual progress, prosperity and well-being of the people of both nations.
In his opening remarks during the meeting with Mr Khanal, External Affairs Minister said that India and Nepal collaborate closely to maintain security along their long and uniquely open border and the two countries have always stood by each other in times of need. Dr Jaishankar said, India and Nepal share a very special relationship, one that is built on a strong foundation of vibrant people-to-people ties, cross-border connectivity, and shared cultural and religious traditions. He conveyed best wishes for the success of the government in Nepal. The External Affairs Minister said, there are strong complementarities between the objectives outlined by the Nepal government and the initiatives that India has taken in the neighbourhood. He said, the bilateral ties have steadily developed in areas like trade, commerce, investments, energy, development cooperation, education, disaster response, and culture. He added that today both sides have an opportunity to also take it forward in many other areas, in newer domains like startups, AI, information technology, renewable energy, and others.
In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, there was a detailed discussion on the unique partnership, including on development cooperation, connectivity, energy, especially hydropower development, education, health, capacity building, digital, culture and sports. He reiterated India’s commitment to work with Nepal for mutual progress, prosperity and well-being of the people of both countries.
In his initial remarks, Mr Khanal said India is Nepal’s most important partner and Nepal has placed the highest priority to India. He said Nepal and India are not merely two countries but stakeholders of a proud ancient civilization. The Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal thanked India for fuel and fertilisers supply amid the West Asian crisis.
Mr Khanal is on a three-day visit to India.
