Foreign Minister Dr. Rana says working together and better connections are the key to shared success between Nepal and India

 KATHMANDU, JUNE 12 — Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, says she hopes stronger ties and better connections between Nepal and India will help both countries grow and prosper together.

Speaking at the Nepal-India Strategic Dialogue held in Kathmandu, she emphasized the need to boost cooperation in trade, travel, and investment. She called for faster, more efficient connections to bring the two countries closer — economically and physically.

“I imagine a future where Nepali farmers can get their ginger to markets in Mumbai within a day, and Indian tourists can fly to Pokhara in the evening after a morning meeting in Delhi,” she said. “This kind of closeness can bring real benefits to our people.”

She talked about the long-standing bond between Nepal and India — built on shared culture, values, and strong people-to-people relationships. Strengthening these ties, she said, is key to building a better future for both nations.

Dr. Rana stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure like roads, railways, air routes, waterways, and digital networks to improve connectivity. According to her, better links will help both countries participate more effectively in regional and global trade, boosting the economy at the borders and beyond.

As the world moves toward a knowledge- and technology-driven economy, she encouraged both nations to focus on digital innovation, education, skill-building, and creative industries. She also pointed to the energy sector as a good example of cooperation — with Nepal’s hydropower potential providing clean energy that benefits future generations. She noted India’s commitment to buying 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal in the next ten years, along with plans for shared power grids and trade.

Dr. Rana proposed working together to blend India’s strength in tech innovation with Nepal’s young, tech-savvy population. She suggested creating joint tech hubs, start-up platforms, and innovation spaces to help youth from both countries thrive together.

She also highlighted the importance of tackling shared problems like climate change, especially as technology and global politics evolve. She thanked India for supporting Nepal in hosting the recent “Sagarmatha Sambaad” dialogue.

Finally, she reaffirmed Nepal’s dedication to peace, stability, and prosperity through partnerships — especially with neighbors like India. Events like this dialogue, she said, are crucial for building stronger relationships and sharing ideas that benefit everyone.