Sushma Swaraj in Kathmandu today; To lead Indian delegation at Nepal-India Joint Commission Meet Jul 25, 12:11 PM
NEW DELHI : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is arriving in Kathmandu today, leading the Indian delegation at the Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting to be held tomorrow. The Commission, formed at the Foreign Ministers’ level 27 years ago, is the highest mechanism overseeing bilateral relations.
Its objective is to enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest while building on the cooperative relations between Nepal and India. The last meeting which was held 23 years ago, is to review and discuss the whole gamut of bilateral ties. Her visit is to pave the way for the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 3rd of next month.
The meeting will hold intensive discussions in five different sectors – political, security and border; economic cooperation and infrastructure; trade and transit; energy and water resources and culture, education, communications and other issues
Nepalese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Deepak Dhital said, the meeting will also review the implementation and progress made on the decisions of the second meeting of the Joint Commission that was held in New Delhi in 1991. Twenty-five bilateral mechanisms have been established at different levels including in energy, commerce and security.
Although it was stated that the Commission would meet alternatively in Nepal and India every year, it had not become possible for the Joint Commission to hold the meeting due to various reasons.
The External Affairs Minister is to call on President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Opposition leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal and other leaders. She will visit Pashupatinath temple and meet prominent business persons before returning to New Delhi on Sunday.