Historic Ties Strengthened by Generous Aid
In the aftermath of Nepal's devastating 2015 earthquake, the Indian government launched Operation Maitri, its largest international disaster relief operation, and committed $1 billion for long-term reconstruction in Nepal.
When another earthquake struck Nepal in November 2023, resulting in over 150 fatalities, India promptly dispatched 11 tonnes of emergency relief materials worth Rs 10 crore as a supportive neighbour.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar's visit to Nepal between 4-5 January 2024 included the inauguration of the Tribhuvan University Central Library, 25 schools, 32 health facilities, and a monastery, all reconstructed under Operation Maitri. These inaugurations, conducted jointly with Nepali Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud, also featured the launch of Nepal's first RFID-integrated library at Tribhuvan University. Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the completion of 75 Indian-funded projects since the 2015 earthquake and announced an additional aid package of Nepali Rupees 1000 crores for rebuilding earthquake-affected infrastructure. He also supervised the distribution of the fifth tranche of post-Jajarkot earthquake relief supplies.
The 7th India-Nepal Joint Commission, co-chaired by Dr. Jaishankar and NP Saud, covered a wide range of topics including bilateral ties, trade, connectivity projects, defence, agriculture, energy, disaster management, and cultural exchanges.
Significant agreements were reached, including Nepal's commitment to export 10,000 MW of power to India over the next decade, the inauguration of three cross-border transmission lines, and the signing of agreements on community development projects and renewable energy cooperation. The launch service agreement for Nepal's Munal satellite was another highlight.
Dr. Jaishankar's engagements in Nepal extended to meetings with key political figures including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President Ram Chandra Poudel, and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. He also engaged with the Nepal Cricket team, assuring India's support.
Rooted in deep cultural connections and formalised by the 1950 Indo-Nepal friendship treaty, the relationship between India and Nepal is characterised by open borders and shared cultural and familial ties. Dr. Jaishankar's visit, aligning with India's 'Neighborhood First' policy, reaffirms the commitment to these enduring diplomatic ties and the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two nations.
