India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forum Discusses Joint Prosperity

Bhairahawa. Government and private sector representatives from both countries have emphasized the need to build a foundation for shared prosperity by further enhancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Nepal and India.

The need for active participation of India's private sector in the full operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, industrial development in border areas, and promotion of international tourism in Lumbini has been highlighted.

Speakers participating in the 'India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forum-2026' held today in Gorakhpur, India, emphasized the need to take bilateral cooperation to new heights by prioritizing agriculture, tourism, energy, banking, infrastructure, industrial investment, and cross-border trade.

In the program, representatives of the Nepali private sector stated that the cooperation of Indian airline companies and the private sector is necessary to regularize and develop Gautam Buddha International Airport as a hub for international flights. Participants expressed the view that the operation of the airport will significantly contribute to the promotion of tourism, trade, and investment in the Lumbini region.

During the discussions, the issue of the need for policy and business cooperation to attract Indian industries to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bhairahawa was also raised. Participants emphasized the need to utilize the industrial potential of the border areas and expand joint investment and production.

Speakers also emphasized that Indian tourism entrepreneurs and the private sector should play a greater role in establishing Lumbini as an international religious and cultural tourism center. It was suggested that a joint campaign should be launched to promote Buddha's birthplace Lumbini as a major destination for Indian Buddhist tourists and international tourists.

Tara Nath Adhikari, Joint Secretary at the Nepali Embassy in India, stated that cooperation in trade, tourism, investment, and infrastructure development needs to be expanded to further strengthen economic relations between Nepal and India. He mentioned that partnership between the private sectors of both countries can be an important basis for economic prosperity.

Rabinra Jung Thapa, Economic Counselor at the Nepali Embassy in India, expressed confidence that bilateral economic relations will be further strengthened by the active participation of the private sector, stating that there are ample possibilities for investment, industry, tourism, and trade in Nepal.

Krishna Prasad Sharma, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated that priority should be given to trade facilitation, creating an investment-friendly environment, and economic development of border areas. He expressed the view that the role of the private sector is important in making Nepal-India economic relations practical and result-oriented.

Kamlesh Jain, Secretary Vice President of the Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Forum and Chairman of the program, provided information about the possibilities of Nepal-India economic cooperation, trade relations, and the role of the private sector, and stated that the partnership between the two countries should be made more result-oriented.

Indian industrialist Anukul Bhatnagar stated that the historical relationship between Nepal and India should be linked with economic development. He expressed the view that both countries can gain mutual benefits through the expansion of trade, industry, investment, and financial cooperation.

Tank Pokharel, President of the Lumbini Province of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, stated that cooperation between the private sectors should be increased for the promotion of trade, tourism, and industry in the border areas. Thakur Kumar Shrestha, President of the Lumbini Province of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the need to further expand economic development, tourism, and industrial cooperation in the border areas.

In the program, there was a roundtable discussion, interaction, and exchange of experiences among industrialists, businessmen, representatives from the banking sector, officials of chambers of commerce and industry, and experts from Nepal and India.

Participants concluded that bilateral economic relations should be made more effective through the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, promotion of Lumbini's tourism, expansion of investment in SEZs, simplification of trade processes, infrastructure development, and enhancement of cooperation between the private sectors, and that these issues should be discussed and implemented.