Nepal requests India for additional air routes

Kathmandu, January 29 — Nepal has once again requested India for additional air routes, specifically for the Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport.

The request was made during a meeting between Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba and India's Additional Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Munu Mahawar.

In the meeting, Minister Rana emphasized the importance of adding extra air routes, particularly for flights from various Indian cities to the two international airports in Nepal.

She also urged India to prioritize this request and facilitate the transportation of construction materials for the road project connecting the eastern side of the Mahakali River to Tinkar in Darchula. The road project has faced challenges due to geographical constraints, making it necessary to transport essential equipment and materials through Indian territory.

Earlier, Nepal had formally requested India to ease the transportation of these materials, but India has yet to address the request.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the Nepal-India Boundary Working Group (BWG), an important bilateral mechanism for resolving border-related issues. However, the group has not met in recent years, leaving some border disputes unresolved.

The Joint Commission meeting between Nepal and India in January 2024 had directed that the group meet urgently to address border issues, but no progress has been made in organizing this meeting.

The meeting also touched on the success of recent bilateral discussions, including the Inter-Governmental Committee on Trade and the Nepal-India Energy Meeting, which were seen as fruitful. Both sides expressed the importance of continuing such meetings to further strengthen cooperation and resolve mutual concerns.

Foreign Minister Rana highlighted that Nepal attaches great importance to its relationship with India and expressed Nepal's desire to continue working closely with India for the benefit of both nations and their citizens.