Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The foreign affairs secretaries of Nepal and India on Monday held discussions on various issues regarding bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation.
Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Poudyal and his Indian counterpart Vinay Mohan Kwatra held talks on matters related to bilateral cooperation and subregional cooperation within the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) framework.
During the meeting, the two countries discussed ways to move the BBIN forward, focusing on road, air, and water connectivity as well as electricity trade and economic cooperation. The BBIN is a sub-regional cooperation under the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Despite being the chair of SAARC, Nepal has failed to take the necessary steps to revive the regional intergovernmental organization which has currently hit a stalemate. India is now pushing for cooperation through the BBIN forum.
The meeting reviewed cooperation in areas such as road, water, train and air connectivity, trade and transit, hydropower, education, agriculture, and health. Both sides have agreed to further strengthen economic and development cooperation for the benefit of both countries, according to an official at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.
The secretary-level meeting was attended by seven representatives from each country.
Foreign ministry officials, however, believe that Kwatra’s visit was primarily for high-level political meetings, rather than bilateral discussions.
Kwatra paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Bimala Rai Poudel on Monday and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and President Bidya Devi Bhandari.
Likewise, he will meet Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, and some leaders of Madhesh-based parties.
He will leave for India on Tuesday after releasing a joint communique.
