Pokhara [Nepal], July 16 – Nepal and India on Wednesday reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation in hydropower, electricity trade and cross-border transmission infrastructure during the 13th meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Power Sector Cooperation held in Pokhara.
According to a press release issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the meeting was co-chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary at India’s Ministry of Power and Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in hydropower development, cross-border electricity trade and transmission infrastructure. They also assessed progress on new cross-border transmission lines including the 400 kV Gorakhpur-New Butwal transmission line and discussed ways to expedite the implementation of ongoing and planned power generation and transmission projects, the Embassy said.
The discussions also covered coordinated operation of the Indian and Nepali power grids, development of solar energy projects, cooperation in green hydrogen and capacity building for Nepali energy professionals.
The Joint Steering Committee meeting was preceded by the 13th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Power Sector Cooperation on Tuesday. The JWG was co-chaired by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Transmission) at India’s Ministry of Power and Sandip Kumar Dev, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
Ahead of the JSC meeting, Indian Power Secretary Agarwal paid a courtesy call on Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on Tuesday, according to the Embassy.
The Embassy said the discussions are expected to further strengthen cooperation between Nepal and India in the power sector.
