India-Nepal Strengthen Development Ties with 10 New Projects
India and Nepal have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to undertake 10 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) aimed at enhancing education, healthcare, and cultural infrastructure in Nepal. These projects are being implemented under India’s grant assistance of NRs. 625 million, reflecting India’s continued commitment to Nepal’s socio-economic development.
The MoUs were signed by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, in coordination with Nepal’s Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and various project-implementing agencies of the Government of Nepal. These projects aim to benefit communities at the grassroots level, ensuring better access to education, medical care, and cultural facilities across different regions of Nepal.
Key Development Projects Under the MoU
The 10 projects signed under this agreement cover school construction, healthcare facilities, and cultural heritage preservation. These initiatives will be implemented through local governing bodies, including Metropolitan Cities, Sub-Metropolitan Cities, Municipalities, and Rural Municipalities.
Education Sector
A major focus of the agreement is to enhance educational infrastructure, ensuring better learning environments for students. The following school buildings and facilities will be constructed under the agreement:
- Sanba Secondary School in Mikuwa Khola Rural Municipality, Taplejung, Koshi Province.
- Ninyukharka Secondary School in Dhurkot Rural Municipality, Gulmi, Lumbini Province.
- Naya Gaun Secondary School Building in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Rupandehi, Lumbini Province.
- Shree Satyavadi Secondary School Administrative & Hostel Buildings in Jayaprithivi Municipality, Bajhang, Sudurpashchim Province.
- Siddhanath Secondary School in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali, Sudurpashchim Province.
- Nepal-Bharat Maitri E-Library at Shree Rastriya Primary School, Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan, Bagmati Province.
These projects aim to modernize educational institutions by providing better infrastructure, libraries, and hostel facilities, ensuring that students receive quality education in well-equipped environments.
Healthcare Sector
To improve access to medical care, India has committed to constructing new health posts and a hospital in Nepal:
- Health Post Building in Ward-3, Indrawati Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk, Bagmati Province.
- Health Post Building in Ward-6, Indrawati Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk, Bagmati Province.
- Nepal-Bharat Maitri Hospital Building in Chankheli Rural Municipality, Humla, Karnali Province.
These projects will provide better medical services in remote areas, addressing healthcare challenges and improving overall public health standards in Nepal.
Cultural Sector
Preserving Nepal’s rich cultural heritage is also a key focus of the development projects. One of the significant cultural projects under this agreement includes:
- Ngagyur Nyngma Palyul Dhongag Chholing Monastery in Likhu-Pike Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu, Koshi Province.
The construction of this monastery will promote religious and cultural tourism, benefiting both local communities and visitors interested in Nepal’s traditional heritage.
India’s Continued Support for Nepal’s Development
India has been a longstanding development partner for Nepal, particularly through its High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs). Since 2003, India has taken up 573 such projects in Nepal, completing 495 projects in various fields, including:
- Education (construction of schools, libraries, and e-learning centers).
- Healthcare (establishment of hospitals, health posts, and medical supply programs).
- Infrastructure (building roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and electrification projects).
- Social welfare and public utilities (drinking water projects, river training programs, and welfare initiatives).
The remaining projects are in various stages of implementation, and India continues to invest in Nepal’s infrastructure growth, community welfare, and bilateral cooperation.
India-Nepal Relations: Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu emphasized that India and Nepal share deep-rooted cultural, historical, and economic ties, and that these projects symbolize the two countries’ strong development partnership.
As close neighbors, both countries have engaged in multi-sectoral cooperation, with India playing a significant role in augmenting Nepal’s infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The implementation of HICDPs reflects India’s unwavering support for Nepal’s socio-economic progress and improved quality of life for its citizens.
These projects mark yet another step in strengthening India-Nepal relations, reaffirming India’s commitment to Nepal’s sustainable growth and prosperity.
