Swaraj, Nepalese FM review bilateral projects

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Nepalese Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali met in New Delhi on Thursday and reviewed the progress of development and connectivity projects.

Swaraj and Gyawali reviewed recent developments in bilateral ties across diverse sectors, including progress achieved on the initiatives India and Nepal launched in 2018 in the areas of agriculture, railways and inland waterways. “They expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made in different sectors of cooperation as a result of intensified bilateral exchanges at all levels in recent months,” Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said.

Gyawali was in New Delhi to take part in the Raisina Dialogue – a geopolitical conference held by the MEA in partnership with think-tank Observer Research Foundation.

“Apart from the implementation of all agreements, we hope to move forward together with India, in strength and take our existing bilateral relations to newer heights,” he said speaking at the Raisina Dialogue. “India and Nepal relations have been comprehensive. India is our biggest trading partner. We are connected by geography, history, religion and cultures.”

External Affairs Minister and Nepalese Foreign Minister agreed to maintain the new momentum and to further strengthen the traditionally close and friendly ties between the two countries.

Gyawali extended an invitation to Swaraj to visit Kathmandu to co-chair the next meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission. External Affairs Minister accepted the invitation and agreed with Nepalese Foreign Minister that the next meeting of the Joint Commission would be held at an early date.