KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba has stated that her recent official visit to India significantly contributed to enhancing mutual goodwill and promoting cooperation between the two countries.
Briefing the Parliament’s International Relations and Tourism Committee at Singha Durbar today, Minister Deuba expressed confidence that the visit further strengthened the friendly, cooperative, and multifaceted relations between Nepal and India, based on mutual equality and benefit.
The visit, according to Minister Deuba, also provided a framework for expanding high-level contacts and promoting bilateral cooperation through established mechanisms.
Responding to queries from lawmakers, she mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded positively to an invitation to visit Nepal.
During her official visit to India from August 18-22, she also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Modi.
“On behalf of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, I conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the Indian Prime Minister and formally handed him an invitation from PM Oli for a state visit to Nepal,” Minister Deuba said, adding that PM Modi acknowledged the invitation with a positive response.
Minister Deuba visited India at the invitation of Indian Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar.
She held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on August 19.
During this meeting, discussions were held on further strengthening the friendly ties between Nepal and India and expanding collaboration on matters of mutual benefit.
Minister Deuba highlighted the significance of her bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart at Hyderabad House in New Delhi earlier the same day.
The two Foreign Ministers discussed expanding cooperation in trade and transit, increasing the quantity of electricity exported from Nepal to India, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and promoting Indian investment in Nepal.
Additionally, talks were held on advancing discussions for granting more air routes to Nepal, mobilizing related mechanisms to address flooding and inundation issues, and prioritizing the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.
The discussions also covered overall Nepal-India relations, including cooperation in the sports sector, capacity enhancement of athletes, and the construction of a cricket stadium in Phapla, Dhangadhi, as well as the construction and expansion of border infrastructure.
Minister Deuba mentioned that an agreement was reached to continue contacts at various levels on several topics through the existing bilateral mechanism.
She specifically raised the issue of air routes, and an agreement was reached in principle for the technical committee to hold the necessary discussions on this matter.
She reiterated that the government is conducting the country’s international relations and diplomacy in accordance with Nepal’s foreign policy, focusing on protecting and promoting national interests.
She asserted that Nepal is being represented in international forums to ensure the country’s interests, as specified by the Constitution and foreign policy.
Minister Deuba assured that the current government is committed to making ambassadorial appointments more systematic, dignified, transparent, and based on capacity and performance, in line with the spirit of the Constitution and the guidelines for appointing ambassadors.
She emphasized that the policy of appointing at least 50 percent of ambassadors from the Foreign Service would continue to maintain a balance between political appointments and career diplomats.
Additionally, she informed the Committee that preparations are underway to sign four important agreements with Oman concerning tourism, health, labor, and foreign affairs.
