“Meeting on Diplomacy Etiquette with Indian Foreign Ministry’s Energy Secretary Khadka”

The meeting between Nepal’s Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister, Mr. Deepak Khadka, and the Additional Secretary of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Munu Mahawar, held at the Ministry of Energy in Singha Durbar, delved into various aspects of Nepal-India energy cooperation. Minister Khadka expressed gratitude to the Indian government for assisting Nepal in reducing its electricity deficit by supplying electricity during dry months.

Acknowledging that as Nepal’s electricity production increases, it leads to surplus for export to India, Minister Khadka emphasized the need to elevate the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. An agreement was reached for India to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to Nepal over a ten-year period, which the Ministry has actively pursued as a significant policy initiative to achieve energy development goals through mutual cooperation and coordination.

The trilateral agreement on electricity sales between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh in early October was highlighted by Minister Khadka as a historic achievement not only for Nepal’s energy sector but for all of South Asia. He expressed satisfaction over the consensus reached in a high-level meeting between Nepal and India on the construction of international high-voltage transmission lines, aiming to build the transmission infrastructure for the Mahakali Irrigation Project.

Mr. Mahawar, the Additional Secretary of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, conveyed India’s interest in investing in Nepal’s hydropower sector and urged for creating a conducive environment for investment. He specifically mentioned the need for detailed reports on major hydroelectric projects like the Upper Karnali and Pancheswor projects for further facilitation.

In attendance at the meeting were Secretary of the Ministry, Sarita Dawadi, senior energy expert Prabal Adhikari, and officials from the Indian Embassy in Nepal. Additionally, Mr. Ramesh Khatri, representing Kansai Nepal News, expressed his opinion that the progress and collaboration in the energy sector between Nepal and India are pivotal for the sustainable development of both nations.


Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: January 28, 2025 10:53 pm