Kathmandu (Agencies): The fifth round of Nepal-India Joint Commission meeting concluded here with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Food Safety and Standards.
“An MoU on Food Safety and Standards between the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) of Nepal and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was signed and exchanged in the presence of the two Ministers,” Foreign Ministry of India said in a statement. External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar and his Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali co-chaired the meeting, along with their respective delegations on Wednesday.
Upon his arrival here on Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Ministry of India Jaishankar paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and discussed issues of mutual interests.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations with specifically focusing on the areas of connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources sectors, culture, and education.
“The Joint Commission expressed happiness over the momentum generated in the overall aspects of Nepal-India relations following the exchange of high-level visits in the past two years. Views were exchanged on the review of Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 and submission of a report of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations (EPG-NIR). Matters related to cooperation in international, regional and sub-regional fora were also discussed,” the statement added.
The commission further expressed happiness at the completion of bilateral projects, such as Motihari- Amlekhgunj Petroleum Products Pipeline, four segments of Hulaki Roads, and post-earthquake reconstruction of private housing in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts.
They also expressed happiness over the progress made in Jayanagar-Janakpur and Jogbani-Biratnagar sections of cross-border railway projects and Integrated Check Post in Biratnagar.
In addition, the commission agreed to expedite the early completion of remaining projects, the ministry said.
Nepal and India expressed satisfaction over progress in three new areas which were agreed during PM Oli’s visit to India in April 2018. The projects included Raxaul-Kathmandu Electrified Rail Line, Inland Waterways and New Partnership in Agriculture.
Further noting that inundation is a serious problem for people living in border areas of Nepal and India, the commission underlined the need for addressing such issues including the inadequate drainage provision that obstructs the natural flow of water in border areas.
The two also agreed to enhance cooperation in areas of socio-economic development, especially the tourism sector. On Nepal’s request for additional air entry routes to Nepal, it was stated during the meeting that discussion which is underway between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries would yield positive results.
India who also has been aiding Nepal in the construction of the various infrastructures and reconstruction after the 2015’s deadly earthquake has been extending help to the Himalayan Nation.
Also, India’s ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri handed over two cheques for Terai Roads Project and Post-earthquake Reconstruction Project to CEO of National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyawali and Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Karki, respectively.
On Thursday, the second day of his visit to Nepal, Foreign Ministry of India Jaishankar is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
The External Affairs Minister is scheduled to depart for New Delhi Thursday afternoon.
Likewise India on Wednesday handed over a cheque of NPR 2.45 billion to Nepal on Wednesday towards the reimbursement for housing reconstruction in Nuwakot and Gorkha Districts during the Fifth Joint Commission Metting (JCM) held in Kathmandu.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently in the Nepalese capital for the meeting, scheduled to be held from August 21 to August 22. India and Nepal are co-chairing the meeting, during which a cheque of INR 80.71 cr was also handed over by New Delhi to Kathmandu on Wednesday.
The INR 80.71 cr cheque is a part of the Government of India’s commitment of INR 500 cr towards strengthening road infrastructure in the Terai Region of Nepal. Four road packages are ready for inauguration, according to the Indian Embassy in Nepal’s official Twitter account.
“Productive discussions with FM @PradeepgyawaliK at the 5th #IndiaNepal Joint Commission Meeting. Comprehensively reviewed our bilateral relations and identified priority areas for cooperation,” Jaishankar tweeted.
Before the commencement of the meeting, the EAM held a “warm and in-depth” conversation with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli here on Wednesday.
“A warm and in-depth conversation with PM @kpsharmaoli. Really appreciate his receiving me amidst his many preoccupations,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The Joint Commission, which was established in June 1987, provides an opportunity for the two neighbouring countries to review bilateral cooperation in all areas and extend necessary political guidance for further enhancing the traditionally close ties.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and DFTQC Nepal was also signed on food safety and standards on the first day of JCM.
According report form ANI External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar held a “warm and in-depth” conversation with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli here on Wednesday.
The EAM is currently in Nepal to co-chair the Fifth Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his Nepalese counterpart Pradip Kumar Gyawali. “Both the leaders will take stock of the entire gamut of India-Nepal bilateral relationship,” the Embassy of India in Nepal tweeted. “A warm and in-depth conversation with PM @kpsharmaoli. Really appreciate his receiving me amidst his many preoccupations,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The Joint Commission, which was established in June 1987, provides an opportunity for the two neighbouring countries to review bilateral cooperation in all areas and extend necessary political guidance for further enhancing the traditionally close ties.
Meanwhile External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar arrived in Nepal on Wednesday to participate in the fifth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission.
The minister was received by Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Shankar Das Bairagi, and country’s Ambassador to India, Nilamber Acharya, at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival by a commercial flight. The fifth meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission is scheduled for today and will be co-chaired by Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. The two leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral partnership, including in the fields of connectivity, trade, economy, culture, power, and education.
The Joint Commission, which was established in June 1987, provides an opportunity for the two neighbouring countries to review bilateral cooperation in all areas and extend necessary political guidance for further enhancing the traditionally close ties.
During his stay, Jaishankar will call on Nepal’s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
