Indian Ambassador pays courtesy call on Energy Minister Bhusal

KATHMANDU : Newly-appointed Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal on Wednesday.

During the meeting that took place at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today, they discussed the topics of bilateral relations and cooperation between Nepal and India.

On the occasion, Minister Bhusal said that the Nepal-India ties were moving forward on the basis of friendship, equality, cooperation and mutual respect. She expressed the confidence that this relation will become stronger in the days to come.

Stating that important works have been carried out in the energy sector between Nepal and India in recent times, the Energy Minister hoped that this collaboration between the two nations will be further expanded in the days ahead.

“The energy trade taking place between Nepal and India at present is positive. India needs the clean energy from Nepal. So, in this context Nepal is willing to move ahead by signing a long-term electricity trade agreement in coming days. I have the conviction that important success would be achieved in power trade sector during your term in office,” Minister Bhusal said.

She stressed on the need of taking ahead the Pancheshwor Hydroelectricity Project as well as of actively implementing the understanding reached between the two countries regarding the damage caused by flood.

Ambassador Srivastava on the occasion gave assurances that he would make whatever initiatives he can for further expanding the collaboration and partnership between the two countries. Noting that significant achievement has been made in the electricity trade sector in the last one year, he said the collaboration of both the governments is worth appreciating in this.

“Power trade is beneficial to both countries. There would be consistent support from our side on this,” the Indian Ambassador said, giving assurances of making relentless efforts for electricity production and trade.

Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary Sagar Kumar Rai, Joint Secretary duo Baburam Bhandari and Chiranjivi Chataut and the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present in the meeting. RSS