Indo-Nepal Relation
The 6th Meeting of India-Nepal Oversight Mechanism, held on 18 July 2018, reviewed the progress of the implementation of all bilateral projects since the reciprocal State Visits by the two Prime Ministers in April-May 2018. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Shri Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal and Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary, Government of Nepal and was attended by projects implementing agencies from both the countries. The Meeting emphasized on the early completion of all bilateral economic and development cooperation projects by addressing difficulties faced by various projects in the process of their implementation, including projects such as Cross-border rail projects, Integrated Check Posts, Terai Roads Project, Cross-border transmission lines, Arun-III hydropower project, etc. Both the sides discussed measures to be undertaken by the respective Governments and agencies to expedite project implementation and their early completion within specified timeframe. The First Meeting of the Oversight Mechanism was held on 29 November 2016 pursuant to the September 2016 direction of the two Prime Ministers during the State Visit of then Nepali Prime Minister to India. The 7th Meeting of the Mechanism will take place on a mutually convenient date. Ambassador Puri hands over a cheque amounting to NPR 2.1 billion to Dr. Rajan Khanal, Secretary, Min
of Finance towards reimbursement of 1st tranche of housing support to 42, 086 GoI supported beneficiaries in Nuwakot and Gorkha H.E. Shri Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal handed over a cheque for a NPR 2.1 billion to Dr. Rajan Khanal, Finance Secretary of Nepal towards reimbursement of 1st tranche of housing support to 42,086 GoI supported housing beneficiaries in Nuwakot and Gorkha. As part of India’s commitment towards Nepal’s post-earthquake Reconstruction, on 20 February 2016,both the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for US$ 100 million grant to support reconstruction of 50,000 private houses in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts in Nepal. In September 2016, both the countries agreed to utilize an additional amount of US$ 50 million from the US$ 750 Line of Credit towards payment of third tranche of housing grant to 50,000 hosing beneficiaries supported by the Government of India. Since March 2018, the Government of India (GoI) is partnering with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services ( UNOPS) for providing Socio- Technical Facilitation to housing beneficiaries in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, respectively to help home owners ensure that their homes comply with Government of Nepal’s earthquake resilient norms. Government of India remains committed to continue supporting the people and Government of Nepal in their full recovery from the 2015 devastating earthquakes.
India Builds Library Building for the Nepal Academy, Kathmandu
On 10 July 2018, Rt. Hon. Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal inaugurated a three-storied Library Building for Nepal Academy, Kathmandu in the presence of H.E. Shri Manjeev Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to Nepal. The Library had been built with Indian assistance of NRs. 43.94 million. The inaugural event was attended by representatives of Ministries of Urban Development, Culture, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Government of Nepal, community leaders and a large number of friends of the IndiaNepal relationship. The newly constructed library building would provide research and reference facilities to the researchers and academicians of India and Nepal. Library would also have facility of an advanced offset press for printing of books. The Nepal Academy plans to further develop the library as a digital library. The library would not only enhance the friendly relation between India and Nepal but also help develop a strong bond among artists and academicians of the two countries. The Government of India, so far, had completed Projects worth NRs. 486.5 million in Kathmandu District. These projects include Schools, Libraries, Hospitals and other health facilities, Art Gallery, Food Laboratory, Hostel Buildings for Women & Girls and Community Centers. There are