Nepal Urges India to Fast-Track Hydropower Projects, Expand Power Trade

Kathmandu: Nepal has urged India to expedite the completion of Indian-assisted hydropower projects, expand bilateral electricity trade and encourage greater investment from Indian private sector companies in Nepal’s energy sector.

During a meeting with visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha called for timely completion of ongoing hydropower projects and stronger cooperation in strengthening the cross-border disaster early warning system.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), Nepal is seeking to advance major hydropower projects, including West Seti, Seti River-6 and Phukot Karnali, through energy cooperation with India.

Nepal also emphasized expanding cross-border transmission infrastructure and facilitating the export of domestically generated electricity to third countries through the Indian power market. The country has identified electricity trade and regional energy connectivity as key areas of bilateral cooperation.

During his two-day visit to Nepal, Foreign Secretary Misri also held meetings with other ministers and senior government officials. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions covered high-level exchanges between the two countries, cross-border trade, development partnership, connectivity and cooperation in various sectors.