The foreign secretary-level talks between Nepal and India on Wednesday in the Indian capital dwelt on a wide range of bilateral issues. Wednesday’s was a preparatory meeting for the Nepal-India foreign minister-level Joint Commission (JC) talks slated for Thursday. On the basis of an agreement made at the official level, foreign ministers of both the countries are set to sign a document on Thursday.

Wednesday’s talks basically focused on boundary dispute and management, trade

and transit, power and water resources and issues related to culture, tourism and media. 

Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, told the Post that implementation of the agreements reached between the two countries in the past and resolving other outstanding issues would be Nepal’s

priority.

On trade and transit, there are a couple of issues that Nepal wants to settle at the earliest. During then prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit, India had agreed to allow Nepal to use Visakhapatnam Port as an additional transit facility to Nepal.

As Nepal prepares to set up a field office there, according to officials, there are some technical issues which need to be addressed first.

Implementation of the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (Bippa), obstacle-free entry for Nepali products to India, decreasing trade deficit and investment were among other issues that were discussed between two countries under the trade and transit theme on Wednesday.

On border dispute and management, there are two components.

First, settlement of border disputes mainly in Susta and Kalapani along with technical problems in other parts. Two years ago, there was an agreement between two countries to start talks at the foreign secretary level. No substantial progress has been made so far.

Chances of an agreement on boundary issues are slim, but both sides have almost agreed to take the issue up as a bilateral agenda, an official present in the meeting said.

 The second part is border management, which includes controlling cross-border crimes and expediting the construction of Integrated Check Posts.

Of late, the Indian side has expressed some reservations, citing chances of abuse of open border by terrorist groups.

On power and water resources, Nepal is insisting on full implementation of Power Trade Agreement.

Finalisation of the joint detailed project report of the Pancheshwor Development Authority will also be high on agenda during Thursday’s meeting. At Wednesday’s meeting, the Nepali side raised the issue of benefits that Nepal should enjoy as per the Gandak Agreement.