The intertwined trade and economic cooperation, defense and development partnership, robust cultural ties and people-to-people contact among others makes Nepal-India relations unique along with the geographical and historical imperatives. For instance, approximately 60 % of Nepal’s total trade is with India and depends upon Indian port for third country trade. Nepal and India are also working closely on various connectivity projects including road, rail and waterways. Completion of these cross-border connectivity projects will boost the bilateral trade, tourism and investments.

The regular exchanges of recent high level visits and the government officials’ engagements contributed in many ways for strengthening bilateral relations, while bridging the trust deficit between two countries. Balancing widening trade imbalances, expediting cross-border connectivity, effectively addressing respective security concerns, effective boarder management should be given high priority.

The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Nepal-India Relations had already finalized single joint report. The EPG had been given mandate to prepare all-embracing report with the recommendations to necessary amendment in all the agreements and treaties including most contentious 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between two countries. Aftermath, receiving the report implementing the reasonable recommendations will be significant to achieve newer heights in bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Nepal and India also need to work very closely by analyzing the changing power configuration and emerging geo-political and geo-economical trends. In order to cope with the common challenges and threats by adopting the pragmatic policy approach.

On this regard, AIDIA aims to bring experts and government authorities to discuss and analyze these issues.