Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba met her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers discussed various aspects of Nepal-India relations, focusing on mutual interests, bilateral cooperation, and recent diplomatic engagements. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference.

During the talks, they reviewed recent high-level exchanges and progress in areas such as trade, transit, and hydropower cooperation. Discussions also covered the outcomes of the Commerce Secretary-level talks held in Kathmandu and the energy-related meeting in New Delhi.

Minister Deuba thanked the Indian government for its support in facilitating electricity trade between Nepal and India, as well as the trilateral energy agreement enabling Nepal to export power to Bangladesh via India. She highlighted the significance of the Nepal-India-Bangladesh electricity trade agreement as a milestone for Nepal’s energy sector, according to the ministry.

The two sides also discussed the expansion of cross-border energy trade and the development of necessary infrastructure. Other key issues included the review of the Nepal-India Trade Treaty and the outcomes of the recent Inter-Governmental Committee meeting in Kathmandu. Minister Deuba appreciated the progress made from the Indian side in operationalising additional port facilities, which will enhance trade connectivity.

The Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project was also on the agenda, with both sides acknowledging the resolution of key technical issues and the positive momentum generated by recent ministerial-level meetings, the statement issued by the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Jaishankar welcomed Nepal’s progress on the Upper Arun Hydropower Project and reiterated India's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation. He also underscored the importance of collective efforts to advance the BIMSTEC framework.

Minister Deuba reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to fostering strong ties with India, emphasising that Nepal remains eager to collaborate with India on matters of mutual interest in the days ahead.