KATHMANDU, March 23: The 59th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day was observed amidst a special function in Kathmandu on Friday.

Around 300 people including Members of Parliament, senior Government  officials of Nepal, ITEC alumni and prominent Nepali alumni of academic institutions from India attended the celebrations hosted by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

Launched in 1964, the ITEC program builds on India's vast and rich network of governance and development related expertise, by offering both short and long term capacity building programs in higher educational institutions and training facilities in India as well as in more than 160 partner countries including Nepal.

Speaking at the ITEC Day celebration, Member of Parliament and Nepali Congress (NC) leader Dr Shekhar Koirala, an alumni of AIIMS, shared his experience and views on taking forward India-Nepal Cooperation in development and education sectors.  

Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, said the 59th ITEC Day was being celebrated to recognize the strides made in India-Nepal capacity building partnership.  He stated that more customized courses for administrators, railway officials, agriculturists, parliamentary officials would be offered under ITEC based on the interest of the stakeholders in Nepal.

The celebration also saw an enthralling Odissi dance performance by a troupe from India led by renowned artist Kakali Bose.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, a total of 444 professionals from Nepal were trained in different courses in various prominent institutes of India in the year 2023-2024. In the past 15 years, more than 2,000 officials from Nepal have been trained under ITEC.