Context

• Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Nepal's Foreign Minister N.P. On a two-day visit to Nepal on the invitation of Saud.
• During this, both the leaders will co-chair the 7th meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission.

Background

• The India-Nepal Joint Commission was established in 1987 and provides a forum for the two ministers to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.
• It is noteworthy that Nepal is a priority partner of India under its 'Neighborhood First' policy.
• Dr. S. Jaishankar's visit is in keeping with the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two close and friendly neighbours.

Key Points

• After this meeting, a long-term power trade agreement will be signed between the two countries.
• Under this, India will purchase 10 thousand MW of electricity in the next 10 years.
• Apart from this, all bilateral issues will also be discussed in the meeting of the two foreign ministers.
• On January 4 itself, the Indian Foreign Minister will inaugurate three newly constructed 132 KVA transmission lines.
• These include Raxaul-Parwanipur, Kushaha-Kataiya in Bihar and Nautanwa-Manhwan transmission line in Uttar Pradesh.
• This transmission line has been built with the cooperation of India.
• Similarly, the Central Library Building constructed at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu with the cooperation of the Government of India will also be inaugurated.

About Nepal

• Nepal shares borders with 5 Indian states – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar. Therefore it is an important point of cultural and economic exchange.
• India-Nepal battalion-level joint military exercise 'Surya Kiran' is conducted alternately in India and Nepal.
• India and Nepal share many multilateral fora, such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal), BIMSTEC, Non-Aligned Movement and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation etc.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

Nepal

• Capital:Kathmandu
• Currency:Rupees (NPR)
• President:Ram Chandra Paudel
• Prime Minister: Pushp Kamal Dahal