Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba has informed Indian investors about Nepal’s efforts to get additional air routes from the southern neighbour stating it would not only help promote some important tourist destinations in both countries but also strengthen regional connectivity.

She sought Indian support for full operation of Nepal’s new international airports in Pokhara and Lumbini. Addressing the “Indo-Nepal Economic Conference” in New Delhi on Friday, she highlighted the potential of these airports to boost tourism and further deepen bilateral relations at the people’s level.

“We have built two international airports in Pokhara, a popular tourist city, and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha,” Deuba said at the conference, according to a press release from her secretariat. “To unlock their full potential and enhance connectivity, Nepal seeks India’s help by providing additional air routes.”

She also encouraged Indian airlines to increase the frequency of their flights to Nepal, assuring them of incentives to do that.

The foreign minister underscored the need for collaborative efforts to promote religious tourism through initiatives like the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits, which could yield mutual benefits for both nations.

“Operation of additional flights will not only promote religious tourist destinations in Nepal and India but help strengthen connectivity in the South Asian region,” she said.

Nepal has been requesting India for the air entry routes for years but to no avail.

On economic collaboration, Deuba urged Indian investors to explore Nepal’s opportunities in energy production, infrastructure, and ICT. “Nepal offers attractive incentives, guarantees repatriation of earnings, and has restructured policies to ensure a favourable environment for foreign investors,” she said.

According to the statement, the foreign minister also commended the progress in cross-border electricity trade, highlighting Nepal’s recent historic agreement to export 40MW of power to Bangladesh via Indian grids. “This milestone demonstrates how cooperation can transform South Asia’s energy landscape,” she remarked.

In October, Nepal, Bangladesh and India signed a trilateral agreement to export 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh using the Indian transmission line. It was the first deal that allowed Nepal to trade energy with a third country. Earlier, Nepal’s energy trade was taking place only with the southern neighbour, India.

Deuba called for reducing trade barriers, enhancing cross-border infrastructure, and strengthening regional forums like BIMSTEC and SAARC to foster economic integration and sustainable development in South Asia.