Kathmandu: The 11th meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on Cooperation in the Energy Sector, co-chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Government of India, and Gopal Prasad Sigdel, Secretary (Energy) of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Government of Nepal, was convened in Chitwan on 20th Paush 2080. This session followed the signing of a long-term energy trade agreement on 19th Paush 2080.

Earlier, on 18th Paush 2080, the 11th joint working group meeting took place in Kathmandu under the co-chairmanship of D. Sai Baba and Navin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. Detailed discussions covered energy trade, hydropower projects, transmission lines, and bilateral cooperation.

The meeting approved the modality of international energy trade through transmission lines of 132 KV and below. On 19th Paush 2080, three 132 kV transmission lines, including Raxaul-Parwanipur, Kataiya-Kushaha, and Naya Nautanwa-Mainhia circuits, were inaugurated by the Ministers of External Affairs of India and Foreign Affairs of Nepal.

Progressing from the joint approach letter during the April 2022 visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal, both nations have committed to convene the first meeting of the Joint Water Development Committee.

Prior to the Joint Board of Directors meeting, Energy Secretary Pankaj Agarwal met with Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, affirming the commitment to ongoing discussions. Both sides agreed to meet soon for the next session of the Joint Working Group/Joint Steering Committee meeting, organized by the Indian side.