India and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance cooperation in the field of agriculture, focusing on sustainability and improved farming systems.

The agreement was formalised between Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari and Indian Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Indian Minister Chouhan stated in his social media post that the partnership aims to focus on enhancing crop productivity, improving post-harvest management, strengthening agri-marketing systems, and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.

The agreement is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries through technical collaboration and knowledge exchange in the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, visiting Indian Minister Chouhan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday. Chouhan arrived in Kathmandu to attend the Third Bimstec Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture.

During the meeting, Chouhan underscored the importance of collaboration between the two countries on modernising agriculture, ensuring food security, and promoting economic development.

“He stressed the need for moving forward with bilateral agreements and joint working groups, leaving behind minor issues and working in a more effective way with shared concerns,” read a press note issued by the prime minister’s press secretariat.

“He also noted that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangkok had painted an optimistic future for the two countries.”

Prime Minister Oli recalled the meeting with Prime Minister Modi in Thailand. “He noted that it further enhanced mutual trust, allowing both nations to move forward together for economic progress” the secretariat quoted Prime Minister Oli as saying during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, among others.