Kathmandu: A meeting was held between Kulman Ghising, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, and the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava. During the meeting at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation in Singha Durbar, Ambassador Srivastava congratulated the newly appointed Minister Ghising and extended best wishes for a successful tenure. The discussion focused on Nepal–India cooperation in the fields of energy, water resources, and irrigation, as well as the progress of ongoing projects being constructed with Indian assistance.
Discussions were held on organizing a bilateral mechanism meeting in the energy and water resources sector, sending water to Nepal through the Mahakali Irrigation (Third Phase) canal, the progress of the Rahughat hydropower project under construction with Indian assistance, the 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 stated that since industries and factories remain closed during Dashain and Tihar, leading to a reduction in domestic electricity consumption, a request was made to grant approval for additional electricity exports.
Currently, Nepal has received approval to export 1,165 megawatts of electricity to India, including Bangladesh. Proposals have been submitted to India for approval to export an additional 138 megawatts from four more projects. During the meeting, it was informed that the study for the Inaruwa–Purnia and New Lamki–Bareilly 400 kV cross-border transmission lines on the Indian side has been completed. Ambassador Srivastava also conveyed that India is ready to provide assistance for the reconstruction of structures damaged due to the Genji movement, if necessary.
The meeting was attended by Sarita Dawadi, Secretary of the Ministry, Joint Secretaries Chiranjeevi Chataut and Sandeep Kumar Dev, and Pratik Karki, Section Officer of the South Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.