Kathmandu: Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, held a meeting with the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, at Singha Durbar.
At the meeting, Ambassador Srivastava congratulated the newly appointed minister and wished him a successful tenure. The two discussed strengthening Nepal–India cooperation in the areas of energy, water resources, and irrigation, as well as reviewing progress on projects supported by India, the press statement released by secretariat of Minister Ghising reads.
Key topics included organizing bilateral mechanism meetings, diverting water to Nepal through the Mahakali Irrigation (third phase) canal, progress of the Rahughat hydropower project, construction of the Inaruwa–Purnia and New Lamki–Bareilly 400 kV cross-border transmission lines, and approval for additional electricity exports from Nepal to India.
Minister Ghising highlighted Nepal’s request for additional export approval, noting that domestic electricity consumption typically declines during Dashain and Tihar when industries and factories close. Nepal currently has approval to export 1,165 megawatts of electricity to India, including to Bangladesh, and has proposed an additional 138 megawatts from four projects. It was reported that India has completed studies for the cross-border transmission lines.
Ambassador Srivastava also indicated India’s readiness to support reconstruction of infrastructure damaged during the Janajati protest movement, if needed.
The meeting was attended by Ministry Secretary Sarita Dawadi; Joint Secretaries Chiranjivi Chatout and Sandeep Kumar Dev; and Pratik Karki, Section Officer of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
