5th Meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission successfully concludes in Kathmandu

The Fifth Meeting of India-Nepal Joint Commission was successfully concluded in Kathmandu on Wednesday. The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. The Joint Commission reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations especially connectivity and economic partnership; trade and transit; power and water resources and culture and education. The commission expressed happiness over momentum generated in overall aspects of Nepal-India relations following the exchange of high-level visits in the past two years.

Views were also exchanged on the review of 1950’s Treaty of Peace and Friendship and submission of report of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations. Matters related to cooperation in international, regional and sub- regional fora were also discussed. The Joint Commission expressed happiness at the progress made in various bilateral projects.Both sides agreed to an early conclusion of the review of treaties and agreements related to trade, transit and rail services. Noting that inundation is a serious problem for people living in border areas, the Joint Commission underlined the need for addressing inundation issues.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Food Safety and Standards between Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) of Nepal was signed and exchanged in the presence of the two Ministers. During the meeting, two cheques for Terai Roads Project and Post-earthquake Reconstruction Project were also handed over by Ambassador of India to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri to CEO of National Reconstruction Authority and Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of Nepal. On second day of his visit External Affairs Minister will pay a courtesy call on President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari tomorrow morning.