Page 3 - Nepal

No place for violence and anarchy in country, says Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Saturday said there is no possibility of repeating the decade-long insurgency in Nepal and rejected the possibility of political unrest similar to what happened in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent past. Oli made these remarks at a programme organised in Kathmandu to release the book titled "In to the Fire" authored by Captain Rameshwor Thapa, chairman of Simrik Air. "I don't see the possibility of repeating the decade-long insurgency and the government will not allow such activity to happen again," Oli said. He also rejected the possibility of repeating the political unrest that happened in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the recent past. Since Nepal is not the photocopy machine of any country, so such events cannot be repeated here, Oli made it clear. He was responding to the recent remarks made by CPN-Maoist Centre chairperson Pushpakamal Dahal "Prachanda" who asked the current coalition led by Oli to learn lessons from the political unrest of ...

MCA-Nepal signs contract for cross-border power transmission line to India

Nepal on Friday signed a USD 12.36 million contract for a critical 18 km cross-border electricity transmission line, a crucial part of the broader Electricity Transmission Project that will deepen energy cooperation with India. Signed under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact, the 18 km transmission line project, with three sub-stations, will help Nepal achieve its domestic power goals and reinforce Nepal's position in the regional energy market, officials said. As MCA-Nepal marks the first anniversary of the Compact's Entry-Into-Force, this new milestone reflects the unwavering commitment from all stakeholders to enhancing regional energy trade between Nepal and India, read a statement by the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact is jointly funded by the government of Nepal and the US government. The MCC was created by the US Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support. The contract, ...

NIA conducts searches in Punjab in VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar murder case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out searches in Punjab in connection with its probe into the murder of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar. Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga was shot dead in his confectionary shop in Nangal in Punjab's Roopnagar district on April 13. He was the Nangal president of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The NIA took over the case from the state police on May 9. Searches were being carried out in the Vikas Prabhakar's murder case, an NIA spokesperson said. Details about the searches were not immediately known. Dharminder Kumar alias Kunal (22), who had supplied the illegal arms and ammunition used in the high-profile murder, was recently arrested from Punjab's Ludhiana by the NIA in a coordinated operation with the Delhi Police Special Cell. NIA investigations have revealed that he had procured the illegal arms and ammunition from Madhya Pradesh, and had supplied these to the shooters on the directions of foreign-based Khalistani terrorist ...

Indian tourist bus that plunged into Nepal's Marsyangdi River pulled out

An Indian tourist bus which plunged into the Marsyangdi River in central Nepal last week, killing 25 Indian pilgrims, was pulled out on Monday, authorities said. The bus with an Uttar Pradesh registration was pulled out from the river by using a crane after closing the Mugling-Anbukhaireni road section of the national highway for four hours since Monday morning, according to Deputy Spokesperson of Armed Police Force Shailendra Thapa. The bus veered off the highway and fell into the fast-flowing Marsyangdi River at Abu Khaireni in the Tanahun district of the Gandaki province last Friday. The accident killed 25 pilgrims from Maharashtra. The driver and his assistant from Uttar Pradesh were also killed. The accident also injured 16 others. The accident site lies on the national highway, some 90 km west of Kathmandu. Initially, a single crane was used to pull the bus out, but then another crane was put to use to complete the task. Passengers were stranded on the highway for hours whi

News updates: Cabinet approves Unified Pension Scheme, says will benefit 2.3 mn central employees

Latest news updates: From Dhawan's retirement to PM Modi's Ukraine visit updates, catch all the news developments from around the world here

IAF plane departs for India with bodies of 25 pilgrims killed in Nepal

A special Indian Air Force plane flight with bodies of 25 Indian pilgrims killed in a tragic bus accident in Nepal left for Jalgaon in Maharashtra while the bodies of two deceased would be reaching Maharajgunj in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening. At least 27 Indian pilgrims, all from Maharashtra, who were in Nepal for a 10-day tour, were killed and 16 others injured after their bus veered off the highway and fell into the fast-flowing Marsyangdi river at Abu Khaireni in Tanahun district in central Nepal on Friday. The deceased and the injured were part of a group of 104 pilgrims on visit to Nepal in three buses. Indian Embassy sources said here that Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse and Sanjay Savkare, a member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Bhusawal constituency, arrived at Kathmandu earlier in the morning by a regular flight to oversee the return of the victims and survivors while the IAF flight special flight directly reached ...

Nepal bus accident: 48 pilgrims, 2 bodies arrive through land route

27 Indians, all from Maharashtra, who were visiting Nepal, were killed and 16 others injured after the bus they were travelling in veered off the highway and fell into Marsyangdi River

14 people killed as Indian bus plunges into Nepal's Marsyangdi River

The bus, with around 40 passengers on board, was travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu when the accident happened

Four Nepali nationals found dead, trapped under debris in Uttarakhand

The rescue operation was carried out by teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and District Disaster Rescue Force

Discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties with PM Modi: Nepal FM Deuba

Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba on Thursday said she discussed ways to boost cooperation and deepen bilateral ties with India's top leadership during her recent visit to New Delhi. Deuba was on a five-day official visit to India from August 18 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. She returned home earlier in the day. It was Deuba's first official visit to a foreign country after assuming charge following the formation of a new Nepal government last month. During the visit, Deuba held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her Indian counterpart Jaishankar. "We exchange views on expanding collaboration and further strengthening bilateral relations during my high-level meetings in New Delhi," Deuba told reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport on her arrival from India. "I have got the opportunity to call on Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi during my official visit to India. During the meeting we discussed matters ..

Ather Energy to enter Sri Lankan market, expand global e-scooter footprint

Ather's move into Sri Lanka follows its expansion into Nepal, where it has established three experience centres and seven fast-charging grids since its entry

Nepal to export 1,000 MW electricity to India, says EAM Jaishankar

Nepal will export close to 1,000 megawatt of electricity to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday after holding comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba. Jaishankar described Nepal's decision to export the electricity to India as a "new milestone". In their talks, the two ministers also focused on boosting cooperation in areas of trade, connectivity and infrastructure. Deuba began her five-day trip to India on Sunday in her first official trip abroad after assuming the responsibility. "Discussed the multifaceted India-Nepal cooperation including in energy, trade, connectivity and infrastructure development," Jaishankar said on 'X'. "Glad to note that Nepal will be exporting close to 1000 MW of electricity to India, a new milestone," he said. "Our Neighbourhood First policy and unique people-to-people & cultural connect propels our relationship forward," he added. On her part, Deuba described the talks as "productive". "Had a ...

Nepal foreign minister Arzu Rana Deuba begins five-day visit to India

Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba arrived here on Sunday on a five-day visit with an aim to carry out a comprehensive review of the bilateral ties. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Deuba's visit is a testament to the "unique and close" relationship between the two countries. "Warm welcome to FM @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal as she arrives in New Delhi on an official visit," he posted on 'X'. "The visit continues the tradition of regular high-level bilateral exchanges and is a testament to the unique & close relationship between the two countries," Jaiswal said. Deuba is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday. The Nepalese foreign minister's visit comes a week after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri travelled to Kathmandu. Nepal is an important neighbour for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region, and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti Beti" ..

Nepal's new foreign min embarks on 5-day India visit to strengthen ties

Nepal's new Foreign Minister Arzu Deuba Rana on Sunday embarked on a five-day official visit to India during which she will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss ways to strengthen the bilateral ties and promote cooperation. Rana is visiting India at the invitation of Jaishankar, the foreign ministry said in a statement. This is Rana's first official visit to a foreign country after assuming charge. "During the visit, Foreign Minister Rana will hold a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Jaishankar and discuss matters of mutual interest for strengthening Nepal-India relations and promoting cooperation," it said. As part of the regular exchange of high-level visits between Nepal and India, Rana's trip will further consolidate the age-old, deep and multi-faceted relations between the two neighbours, the statement said. "Nepal is a priority partner of India in its Neighbourhood First policy. The forthcoming visit will provide both sides an opportunity to disc

US deputy secretary of state Verma visits Nepal to strengthen ties

US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma on Friday met Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and discussed various aspects of the bilateral ties, including development cooperation and mutual interests. Verma, an Indian-American diplomat, is the senior-most official from the Biden administration to visit Nepal since a change of government here and Oli assumed charge as the prime minister last month. Verma, who is on a one-day visit to Nepal, met Oli at Singha Durbar where discussions were held on bilateral relations and mutual interests. The prime minister expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided by the US government in Nepal's economic and social development since the 1950s and hoped for continued support in various areas in the days ahead, The Kathmandu Post newspaper quoted an official from the prime minister's secretariat as saying. Oli informed Verma that Nepal is in the process of graduating fr

Nepal govt pledges to safeguard use of its territory against neighbours

The Nepali territory will not be allowed to be used for any activities against its neighbours, the Nepali Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said on Monday, assuring India that no such activity against the neighbouring country would be entertained by the Himalayan nation. The minister gave this assurance during his meeting with India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who paid a courtesy call on him to discuss matters of bilateral interest and concerns, a Home Ministry statement said. "Acknowledging India as Nepal's important partner in security, infrastructure, energy, and water resources sectors, the Home Minister Lekhak expressed gratitude to India for its contributions to the enhancement of competency of Nepal's security forces and the infrastructure development," the statement said. On the occasion, the home minister pledged that no activities against the neighbouring countries would be entertained in the Nepali territory. "Nepal's territory will not be allowed to be used for any ...

FS Misri meets Nepal Dy PMs, discusses bilateral ties, economic cooperation

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday met his Nepalese counterpart Sewa Lamsal and other senior political leaders of the Himalayan nation and discussed steady growth of bilateral ties and ways to take it forward. Misri's two-day visit is the first by the Indian foreign secretary to Nepal after the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli last month. "Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri met his counterpart Ms. Sewa Lamsal @sewa_lamsal. They discussed the steady growth of India-Nepal cooperation and ways to take it forward. #IndiaNepalFriendship," the Indian embassy in Nepal said in a post on X. Misri also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Paudel at his office in Singha Durbar. "They discussed various topics, including economic and development cooperation, expediting the construction of ongoing projects and the mutual relations between the two countries," The Himalayan Times newspaper reported. Misri met Deputy Prime Minister Singh, w

MEA, NSIL sign agreement to assist launch of Nepalese Munal satellite

The Ministry of External Affairs and ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) signed an agreement on Saturday to grant assistance for the launching of the Nepal-built Munal satellite, according to an official statement. Munal is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal under the aegis of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the MEA said. Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN), a Nepalese space startup, has assisted Nepalese students in the design and fabrication of this satellite. The satellite aims to build a vegetation density database of the earth's surface, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the statement. The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Secretary, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Surendra Thapa, Charg d'affaires of Nepali Embassy and Abhas Maskey, Founder, Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN) were also present on the ...

Cross-border UPI payments in Nepal cross 100,000 within six months

Under the arrangement, Indian users in Nepal can make instant UPI payments across stores in Nepal using UPI-enabled applications

Five killed in helicopter crash in mountains northwest of Nepal's capital

All five people on board a helicopter were killed when it crashed Wednesday in the mountains just northwest of Nepal's capital, authorities said. The bodies of four men and a woman were pulled from the wreckage, said Krishna Prasad Humagai, the government administrator of Nuwakot district. Police and army rescuers reached the area and two rescue helicopters were also sent to assist in the operation, the official said. The crash site is in the Suryachaur area, which is just northwest of Kathmandu, and is on a mountain covered by forest. The helicopter had taken off from Kathmandu international airport at 1:54 p.m. local time and was heading towards the town of Syaprubeshi. The helicopter, an Eurocopter AS350 belonging to Nepal-based Air Dynasty, had lost contact with the tower just three minutes after takeoff, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. The four passengers are Chinese nationals, and the pilot is a Nepali man, officials said. The crash cam