The second meeting of the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism that concluded on Monday has agreed to expedite and implement India-funded projects in Nepal in a time-bound manner.   

Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae led their respective sides in the meeting. The first meeting of the mechanism was held in November.

The second meeting concluded with a comprehensive review of the progress made in economic and development corporation projects between Nepal and India since the first meeting was held.

 Besides discussing issues relating to cross-border rail projects, Integrated Check Posts, cross-border transmission lines, Arun III and Upper Karnali hydropower projects, Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Postal roads, Line of Credit projects and reconstruction projects, the meeting also covered other pertinent matters, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the substantive progress made since the first meeting of the mechanism, said the statement.

While stressing the importance of expeditious completion of all ongoing bilateral projects on time, the two sides have agreed on further measures to be undertaken in the coming days.

Nepal and India had agreed to set up such mechanism during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s state visit to India in September last year.

During the first meeting, both sides had identified that four bilateral issues in relation to India-funded projects would be discussed.

Similarly other agendas on the table were utilisation of projects under India’s line of credit, Indian grant for housing, cultural heritage, health and education.

During the first meeting, both sides had prepared a chart of projects to be undertaken by the both sides including issues, action to be taken and tentative timeframe for their completion.

As per the minute of the first meeting, glitches and obstructions from the Nepali side have been hindering the progress of India- funded projects.