India, Nepal unveil joint vision in the power sector

NEW DELHI: India and Nepal on Saturday unveiled a joint vision for bilateral cooperation in the power sector and inked a few Memorandums of Understanding in this regard.

Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation have signed two Memorandums of Understanding on Saturday during a delegates-level meeting at Hyderabad House, said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

The delegation-level meeting was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba. The Nepal Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to India.

The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for the renewal of the supply of petroleum products for a period of five years and sharing of technical expertise.

The secretary said that a joint statement for power trade was unveiled together.

Modi also conveyed to Deuba that their power export proposals have been cleared and will contribute to Nepal's economic prosperity. "There was also a renewed commitment by both sides to move forward with the Pancheshwar project," said Shringla during a presser over both leaders' meetings.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the timeless linkages and bonds of geography, history, culture, commerce and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

In this context, both Prime Ministers noted the positive developments in each other's power sectors. India congratulated Nepal on its significant progress in the power sector, including becoming a near power surplus country.

Prime Minister Deuba appreciated India's recent cross-border electricity trade regulations that have enabled key partners like Nepal to access India's market and trade power with India.

He also acknowledged with appreciation India's contribution to developing Nepal's power sector, through capacity building and direct support to infrastructure projects related to generation and transmission.

Both Prime Ministers agreed that there are unprecedented opportunities for expanding and further strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the power sector including joint development of power generation projects in Nepal, development of cross-border transmission infrastructure, bi-directional power trade with appropriate access to electricity markets in both countries based on mutual benefits, market demand and applicable domestic regulations of each country, coordinated operation of the national grids and institutional cooperation in sharing latest operational information, technology and know-how.

To expand such cooperation to include their partner countries under the BBIN framework subject to mutually agreed terms and conditions between all involved parties, said joint vision on the power sector.

The statement said that Indian investment in Nepal's renewable power sector, in particular the Hydropower sector, has the potential to benefit both countries by strengthening their economies generating employment, enhancing export earnings and contributing to further development of industrial and financial capacities, and mutually agreed to share of other benefits.

Nepal invited Indian companies to invest in the development, construction and operation of viable renewable power projects, including in the Hydropower sector in Nepal, including storage-type projects, through mutually beneficial partnerships.

Recalling discussions during earlier high-level visits on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, including during the State Visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal to India in August 2017, and recognizing the immense benefits for the people of both countries from this project, the two Prime Ministers directed their concerned officials to expedite the bilateral discussions towards early finalization of the project's DPR.

Both Prime Ministers agreed to prioritize expeditious movement on projects and initiatives on the basis of this joint vision. They agreed to continue supporting each other's national growth and prosperity guided by mutual respect and equality.

The Foreign Secretary stated that the launch of RuPay in Nepal is a significant move to enhance financial linkages between the two countries. "It is expected to facilitate bilateral tourist flows and strengthen people to people linkages," Shringla said.

He also stated that Nepal Prime Minister has extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister to visit Nepal. (IANS)

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