Nepal and India underlined the need for the expeditious implementation of the bilateral projects. They agreed to undertake necessary measures to timely address problems and obstacles in the course of implementation.

This progress was announced following the completion of the Eighth Meeting of Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism which was held in Kathmandu through Video Conferencing.

Co-chaired byForeign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Ambassador of India to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the meeting made a thorough review of the implementation of the projects under bilateral cooperation.

This was the first official level meeting between the two countries following the publication of new map by Nepal. On August 15, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli called to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated on Independence Day of India.

It was first the first official communication between the two prime ministers since May.

According to a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, discussions were held on the status of implementation of the on-going projects under Nepal-India bilateral cooperation coveringterai roads, cross-border railways, Arun-III hydropower project, petroleum products pipelines, Pancheshwar multipurpose project, post-earthquake reconstruction, irrigation, power and transmission lines, construction of Nepal Police Academy, integrated check posts, Ramayana circuit, HICDPs, motorable bridges over Mahakali River, agriculture and cultural heritage, among others.

The Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism was set up after the State Visit to India by the Prime Minister of Nepal in September 2016 to oversee the implementation of bilateral projects and take necessary steps for their completion in time.

The Ninth Meeting of the Mechanism will take place on a mutually convenient date.