Satisfaction in Nepal-Bangladesh cooperation, focus on revival of SAARC and BIMSTEC

In the joint consultation meeting, both foreign secretaries, Nepal's Sewa Lamsal and Bangladesh's foreign secretary, Masood bin Momen, led the meeting from their respective sides. The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the

meeting said, "All aspects of bilateral relations were reviewed." Both foreign secretaries expressed their satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations between Nepal and Bangladesh. It is mentioned in the statement that there is an agreement to promote cooperation by joining.

Lamsal and Momen also emphasized on the deployment of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement Framework to contribute to the economies of individual countries by not only expanding trade and connectivity but also by creating more opportunities to promote connectivity at the grassroots level.

Foreign Secretary Lamsal stressed on the search for suitable opportunities in economic, cultural and educational fields. She proposed to Bangladesh to establish meaningful cooperative partnership including the private sector. She said that Nepal wants to further trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh.

She urged the Bangladeshi side to find investment opportunities in the hydropower sector in Nepal. She also asked the Bangladesh government to remove existing customs and other duties imposed on Nepali products exported to Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Momen emphasized that the tripartite energy agreement between Bangladesh-India-Nepal will be concluded soon. He made it clear that once the agreement is concluded, Bangladesh will be helped to import electricity from Nepal. Although there is an agreement between Nepal and Bangladesh to import and export electricity, a tripartite agreement with India is yet to be reached.

He thanked the Government of Nepal for providing land for the construction of a monastery in Lumbini. Both foreign secretaries discussed regional matters of mutual interest.

The 18th SAARC Summit was held in Nepal in 2014. After that, the 19th summit that was supposed to be held in Pakistan could not go ahead. Both foreign secretaries emphasized on the revival of SAARC. In addition, they also stressed on making BIMSTEC active.

In addition, on Wednesday, the foreign secretaries of the two countries also signed the memorandum of understanding between the Foreign Affairs Studies Institute of Nepal and the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh.

Secretary Momen, who is visiting Nepal, had a courtesy meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, bilateral cooperation in trade and commerce, connectivity, energy and electricity, tourism, culture and education were discussed on the said occasion.