KATHMANDU, Feb 28: The Nepal-India Tech Forum 2026 was organised in New Delhi on Friday in collaboration with the Embassy of Nepal in India, Genese Solution, and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). The forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to explore opportunities for deepening Nepal–India cooperation in digital innovation, technology infrastructure, and investment.
Speaking as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, Ambassador of Nepal to India Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma highlighted Nepal’s evolving digital capabilities and called on Indian IT companies to explore investment opportunities. He cited Nepal’s journey from its first IT Policy in 2000 to the National AI Policy 2025 and the ongoing “IT Decade Vision”, noting initiatives such as AI Excellence Centers and the FASG Framework covering Foundation, Access, Skills, and Growth. He emphasised opportunities in cloud computing, FinTech, cybersecurity, and AI, citing existing participation of Indian firms like Infosys in Nepal’s banking sector.
Guest of Honour Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs, India, underscored India’s commitment to fostering tech-driven partnerships with Nepal. He highlighted initiatives like UPI-Nepal payment integration, trade facilitation, and startup collaborations, stressing that technology underpins bilateral cooperation across sectors including health, energy, and agriculture.
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Speakers emphasised Nepal’s potential as a digital economy, citing strong macroeconomic fundamentals, abundant renewable energy, and a growing pool of ICT graduates. Shekhar Golchha, former FNCCI President, noted technology’s role in creating jobs and driving Nepal toward a $100 billion economy by 2030, with deeper India–Nepal collaboration. Manjeev Singh Puri, chair of PHDCCI’s India-Nepal Centre, highlighted Nepali professionals’ global contributions and the country’s advantage in AI and advanced technology due to cultural familiarity and presence in Indian tech hubs.
Sushil Gyewali, CEO of the Investment Board Nepal, invited Indian IT companies and investors to establish enduring partnerships, leveraging Nepal’s renewable energy for clean digital infrastructure. Industry leaders, including Anand Jha (Visa Inc.), Anjani Phuyal (Genese Solution), and Dipesh Karki (Lenden Club), discussed cross-border payments, digital infrastructure, and startup incubation.
The forum also included a roundtable moderated by Atul K Thakur, Senior Secretary, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI, with participation from over 30 policy and industry leaders from India and Nepal. Notable attendees included Dr Surendra Thapa (Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nepal, India), Tara Nath Adhikari (Minister, Embassy of Nepal, India), and Rabindra Jung Thapa (Counsellor, Embassy of Nepal, India).
The Nepal-India Tech Forum 2026 concluded with a consensus on leveraging technology as a central pillar of bilateral partnership, enhancing trade, innovation, and human capital, while positioning Nepal as a regional hub for digital transformation and investment.
