External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Kathmandu on January 4 for a two-day visit. At the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Nepal, Narayan Prakash Saud, Jaishankar arrived in Nepal in the first week of the New Year to co-chair the seventh meeting of the ‘India-Nepal Joint Commission’ set up in 1987 and also to review various aspects of the bilateral partnership between the two countries. In the meantime, the government of India has announced to send relief fund for the Nepalese people affected by the terrible earthquake in Nepal.

Financial assistance for Earthquake – affe ted Nepal

The conclusion of the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission marked an important moment in bilateral relations as the two countries finalized agreements in various areas. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced that the Government of India will provide a financial assistance package of around NPR 1000 crores to Nepal to provide further assistance after the recent earthquake in Jajarkot.

Earlier in November, 128 people died and at least 141 were injured after a strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude Shook up Nepal.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement that Jaishankar and Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal NP Saud also witnessed the handover of the fifth tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supply provided by the Indian government.

According to the Indian Embassy, the financial package given by India includes 200 prefabricated houses, 1200 blankets, 150 tents and 2000 sleeping bags for the earthquake-affected people in Nepal.

The Agreements which were discussed

Following the meeting of the Joint Commission, the EAM of India and the Foreign Minister of Nepal exchanged four agreements for the purpose of development partnership for the two countries.

The agreements inked between India and Nepal cover a diverse spectrum, including the Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects, Cooperation in Renewable Energy Development, the launch of the Munal Satellite, and the handover of the 5th tranche of post- Jajarkot earth quake relief supplies.

The first agreement was the implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), which witnessed a noteworthy increase in the budgetary ceiling, soaring from NPR 5 crore to NPR 20 crore.

Secondly, there was an agreement between the government of India and the government of Nepal for long-term power trade. Under this agreement, Nepal has agreed to increase electricity exports to India to 10,000 MW within 10 years.

Thirdly, the launch service agreement for Munal Satellite was made by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology between NewSpace India Limited and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. It was decided in the meeting that this satellite developed by Nepali students will be launched on an Indian launch rocket on a free basis.

Lastly, The MoU for Cooperation in Renewable Energy Development between NTPC Limited and Nepal Electricity Authority was signed .

The joint inauguration of three 132 kV cross-border transmission lines, namely, the second circuit of the Raxaul-Parwanipur line, the second circuit of the Kataiya-Kusaha line, and the New Nautanwa-Mainhiya lines, signifies a tangible step towards enhancing connectivity between the two nations.

Additionally, bilateral matters of mutual interest were discussed in these meetings.

India hands over financial aid to Nepal; Jaishankar to inaugurate 59 post earth- quake reconstruction

On Thursday, In the presence of the ministers, the fifth tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supplies provided by India was handed over.

The Indian Embassy stated that out of 200 preferable houses, 20 were already handed over that day, and the remaining will be handed over in various tranches over the next few weeks.

On January 5 (today), EAM Jaishankar will inaugurate 59 post-earthquake reconstruction projects in the education, health and culture sectors, including the new building of the Tribhuvan University Central Library, which has been built with the Government of India’s grant assistance.

Nepal is India’s priority partner under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. According to a Nepali news media report, the visit “comes in the tradition of high-level exchanges” between the two close and friendly neighbors. These decisions will further strengthen Nepal’s friendly relations with India.