India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit 2025 Organized in Birgunj

Kathmandu: To accelerate bilateral economic cooperation for shared prosperity, the India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit 2025 was organized on 27 August at Clarks Resort in Birgunj.

The event was jointly organized by PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre in association with the Consulate General of India, Birgunj, Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) Birgunj Chapter, and NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, Madhesh Pradesh.

The summit witnessed the significant presence of industry leaders from both India and Nepal, office bearers of NICCI, BiCCI, FNCCI, NADA, and chambers in the neighbouring Indian state of Bihar. Key speakers included the Consul General of India in Birgunj and the Vice Chairman of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, Government of Madhesh Province, Nepal.

Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker Devi Sahai Meena, Consul General of India in Birgunj, presented an overview of India-Nepal economic and trade relations, stressing that Nepali businesses could benefit by partnering with Indian enterprises. He highlighted India’s progress in various sectors and emphasized that the summit would further improve the ease of doing business between the two countries with enhanced connectivity and trade transit facilities.

Additionally, Dr. Sohan Prasad Sha, Vice Chairman of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, said India’s consideration of Nepal’s investment aspirations is vital for the country’s economic turnaround. He noted that Madhesh Province is focusing on tourism, food processing, renewable energy, and data-centric policymaking to strengthen cross-border trade with India.

Moreover, Abhishek Choudhary, President of the NICCI Birgunj Chapter, stressed the shared geography, history, and aspirations of both countries, highlighting the need to create win-win opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, energy, and digital trade.

In his opening remarks, Atul K. Thakur, Secretary of the India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI, underlined the substantial progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in connectivity, infrastructure, power, and digital financial integration. He cited achievements such as completed and ongoing integrated check posts, expansion of railways and petroleum pipelines, long-term power trade agreements, new hydropower projects, and the acceptance of UPI payments in Nepal since March 2024.

Other key speakers included Ashok Temani (President, FNCCI Madhesh Province), Hari Gautam (President, BiCCI), Anil Kumar Agrawal (Immediate Past President, BiCCI), Suman Shrestha (President, CCI-Chitwan), Kedar Kumar Agrawal (President, NADA Madhesh Pradesh), Rahul Agarwal (President Elect, NADA Madhesh Pradesh), Angad Singh (President, Motihari Chamber of Commerce, Bihar), Ranjeet Karn (Former Constituent Assembly Member, Nepal), Bishwash Pratap Shah (President, NYEF Birgunj Chapter), and Deepak Rauniar (Founder CEO, Oorja World).

Also among the speakers were Mahesh Kumar Agrawal (Entrepreneur, Raxaul, Bihar), Narayan Prasad Homagai (Entrepreneur, Kolkata), Madhav Duwadi (Managing Director, Hotel Seven Star, Sauraha), Manish Anand (CEO, Mithila Naturals, Bihar), Shiv Shankar Shah (Head of International Relations, Krupanidhi Group), Krishna Kumar (Director, Parwati Buildtech, Patna), Diwakar Kumar (Director, Vaisanavi Construction, Patna), Niraj Agrawal (Vice President, NICCI Birgunj), Bhumi Raj Dhungana (Commercial Head, Berger Jenson & Nicholson Nepal), Rajendra Koirala (CEO, Gyanda Academy), and Mohan Sharma (President, Jeetpur Simra Chamber of Commerce).

The summit also highlighted the depth of India-Nepal economic ties. Indian firms are the largest investors in Nepal, accounting for 35% of total FDI stock worth nearly USD 777 million. Nepal is India’s 17th largest export destination, with bilateral trade standing at USD 7.87 billion in FY 2023–24, of which Nepal exported USD 829.71 million to India. India remains Nepal’s largest export market, accounting for 67.9% of Nepal’s total exports, while Nepal’s main imports from India include petroleum products, iron and steel, cereals, vehicles and parts, and machinery parts. Around 150 Indian ventures currently operate in Nepal across sectors such as manufacturing, services, power, and tourism.

For accelerating bilateral cooperation, the summit held detailed discussions on promoting sustainable industrial development in both countries, revisiting bilateral trade policies, expanding bilateral, regional, and sub-regional cooperation, and improving border area development and connectivity through road, railway, and air links.