Nepalese Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle has stated that India and Nepal have an opportunity to renew their partnership by building on the strong ties that already exist.
Addressing an International Seminar on ‘Reimagining India-Nepal Relations in an Emerging Global Order’ organized by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi today, Dr Wagle emphasised the importance of strengthening connectivity and economic cooperation and realising the considerable potential that the two countries can achieve together.
Speaking exclusively to Akashvani News, the Nepalese Finance Minister also stressed upon urgent pre-disaster investments, including early warning systems and resilient infrastructure, to mitigate climate risks.
On energy cooperation and cross-border electricity trade, Dr Wagle highlighted ongoing joint projects supported by Indian investments. Dr Wagle also commended India’s prompt relief and rescue assistance following recent flash floods in Nepal. He further informed that Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to visit India by the end of this year.
Additional Secretary (North) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Munu Mahawar, also highlighted the need for greater ambition in taking forward the India-Nepal partnership. He noted that the two countries have made significant progress in areas such as connectivity and power, while emphasising the opportunity to advance more ambitious projects and initiatives that have remained unrealised for decades. He underlined that the potential of the relationship is much larger and therefore calls for greater ambition in goal-setting.
In his welcome address, Director General of RIS, Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma highlighted the strong complementarities that exist between India and Nepal across trade, energy, education, health and development cooperation. He emphasised the need to deepen engagement so that the relationship can move from proximity to prosperity and ultimately towards shared prosperity.
