Nepal and Bangladesh have emphasized the need to share experiences and best practices to ensure a smooth, sustainable, and irreversible graduation from the LDC category by 2026.
During a courtesy call on Bangladesh's Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, Muhammad Yunus, in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon, Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, highlighted the need to unlock potential in trade, transit, and connectivity to drive economic development, according to the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nepal-Bangladesh relations with a renewed emphasis on expanding economic linkages. Ambassador Bhandari particularly stressed energy cooperation as a mutually beneficial endeavor between the two nations. He pointed out that the early commencement of exporting 40 MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian transmission lines would be a transformative step in enhancing sub-regional energy cooperation.
He also expressed satisfaction with the growing people-to-people contacts, educational exchanges, and tourism links between the two countries.
The Chief Adviser underscored the importance of harnessing hydropower potential, with an emphasis on contributing to a net-zero emission scenario. He also reiterated the need for the early implementation of this beneficial energy cooperation.
Ambassador Bhandari thanked the Bangladesh government for its support in ensuring the safety and security of Nepali nationals, especially students, during and after the recent protests. He expressed hope that this support would continue in the future.
They also discussed Nepal-Bangladesh cooperation in regional and international forums, underscoring the importance of revitalizing regional platforms such as SAARC and BIMSTEC.
Ambassador Bhandari congratulated the Chief Adviser on his appointment and handed over a letter of felicitations from Nepal’s Prime Minister, K P Sharma Oli. Referring to the Prime Minister's letter and the press statement issued on 7 August 2024 by the Government of Nepal, the Ambassador reiterated Nepal's solidarity with Bangladesh as the country navigates its transitional period.
The Chief Adviser appreciated Nepal’s support and noted with satisfaction the strong and cordial relations between the two countries at both political and people-to-people levels. -- RSS
