KATHMANDU, Nov 4: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday for talks aimed at laying the groundwork for Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s planned visit to India later this month.
Misri held bilateral talks with his Nepali counterpart, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, focusing on key issues expected to feature during the prime minister’s visit.
“Our discussions today will focus on a number of important initiatives that need to be taken forward in the context of the Prime Minister’s visit. A detailed agenda has been prepared for this purpose,” Misri said.
The talks covered a range of issues, including connectivity projects involving air, rail, road and bridge infrastructure, trade, development cooperation, energy cooperation, post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation, and people-to-people ties.
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Misri said India was ready to support Nepal’s reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts following the Bhotekoshi floods, which caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
“India has extended assistance. However, we understand that the incident caused extensive damage and destruction to Nepal’s infrastructure,” he said. “As always, India remains ready to consider any assistance or project proposals that may be required during the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.”
He said preliminary discussions on reconstruction and rehabilitation had already taken place and that India was keen to take the matter forward in consultation with Nepal’s leadership.
Misri also said the two countries had made progress in addressing longstanding issues and implementing major bilateral initiatives, praising officials on both sides for their continued efforts.
Following the foreign secretary-level talks, Misri called on Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal and discussed prospects for expanding the multifaceted Nepal-India partnership ahead of upcoming high-level engagements.
He also met Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle, with discussions focusing on further strengthening the comprehensive and wide-ranging economic partnership between the two countries.
In separate meetings with Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, Misri discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy and water resources, while reviewing ongoing projects and initiatives.
Prime Minister Shah is expected to visit India in the third week of November, with both sides expediting preparations to make the visit substantive and productive.
Nepal is expected to seek India’s support for the completion of several stalled projects and request assistance, including grants and concessional loans, for reconstruction and rehabilitation following the Bhotekoshi floods of August 26.
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