NE Watch Desk
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ ahead of pivotal Bharat-Nepal Joint Commission soon after the Indian leader arrived in Nepal on Thursday.
Extending the warm wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal Premiere ‘Prachanda’, the EAM shared that the later recalled Bharat’s successful tour, which had imparted new momentum to ties of both nations, in June 2023.
The meeting featured discussions on the follow-up, including the Joint Commission Meeting, and Bharat-Nepal friendship, which “is indeed unique”, noted Dr Jaishankar in his social media post adding the two countries’ “partnership is moving from strength to strength”.
During Jaishankar’s first foreign tour of the New Year, he paid a courtesy call to President Paudel at Office Sheetal Niwas.
President Paudel expressed his desire for Bharat-Nepal collaboration and cooperation in the areas of connectivity, mitigation of climate change impacts and hydropower development, said an insider.
Prior to that, Dr Jaishankar was welcomed warmly by his Nepalese counterpart NP Saud and his team comprising Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other senior officials at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Jaishankar and Saud, withn their respective delegations, will co-chair the Bharat-Nepal Joint Commission.
It provides a platform for both sides to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership since its inception in 1987.
Under its Neighbourhood First Policy, Nepal is a priority partner of Bharat. The visit is part of the tradition of high-level exchanges between two close and friendly neighbours.
Dr Jaishankar will be in Nepal for the engagements over the next two days.
