Nepal and India to resume talks on air entry routes after decade-long lull
Summary
Nepal and India have agreed to resume talks on additional bilateral air entry routes after nearly a decade to improve operations at Nepal's new international airports in Pokhara and Bhairahawa. The discussions also covered expanding electricity trade and progress on Indian-backed hydropower projects.
Key Points
- Nepal and India will resume negotiations on additional bilateral air entry routes after nearly a decade to support operations at Nepal's Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airports.
- India has reservations over direct air entry points through Nepal's western and eastern corridors due to security and air traffic concerns including the Gorakhpur air base.
- The lack of additional western entry routes has led to congestion and operational inefficiencies at Nepal's Gautam Buddha and Pokhara International Airports, affecting their commercial viability.
- Besides air routes, Nepal and India agreed to increase electricity trade capacity and discussed progress on several Indian-backed hydropower projects in Nepal.
