The Nepal-India Economic Conference has started in New Delhi, India. The conference was jointly organized by the Nepal Contemporary Studies Center at Kathmandu University and the Agro Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare of India on Friday.
Experts at the conference emphasized the need to strengthen Nepal-India relations not only economically but also socially and culturally. They suggested that the relationship between the two countries should be developed as an example for regional cooperation in South Asia.
The conference provides an opportunity to deepen the cooperation between the two nations, and experts emphasized the importance of strengthening economic, social, and cultural ties. They also pointed out the need to address trade imbalances and structural barriers between Nepal and India.
Foreign Minister Arzu Rana urged Indian investors to expand their investments in Nepal. She highlighted that India has the largest share of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nepal and called for further investment growth.
Dr. Ashok Vishnudas, director of India’s Agro Foundation, said the conference is important not only for educational achievements but also for promoting regional unity and cooperation. He expects the conference to provide key insights into cooperation in areas such as bilateral investment, infrastructure development, trade, and tourism. He also mentioned that Nepal can learn valuable lessons from India’s economic liberalization.
Dr. Charan Singh, CEO of Agro Foundation, noted that this is the first time such an economic conference has been held and stressed the importance of focusing on cooperation, learning, and sharing practices with neighboring countries. He believes the conference can play an important role in educational research and collaboration.
Dr. Achyut Wagley, Registrar of Kathmandu University, explained that the conference aims to explore the possibilities of educational and regional cooperation between Nepal and India. He described the event as an example of “Track II Diplomacy,” where academic research and data can contribute to policy cooperation.
The conference also addressed the issue of the trade imbalance between Nepal and India, where Nepal’s imports from India are significantly higher than its exports to India. Additionally, the need for cooperation on shared problems like climate change and the melting of the Himalayas was highlighted. The importance of green and sustainable development was also discussed, along with the issue of youth migration.
Experts at the conference said that the event aims to further strengthen Nepal-India relations through multi-dimensional discussions, focusing on sustainable development, bilateral cooperation, and regional unity. The conference will include separate sessions on various topics such as regional cooperation, tourism, and economic development.
