Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal received a courtesy call from Australian Ambassador to Nepal, Felicity Volk. During the meeting between them at the ministry today, various issues of mutual interest were discussed.

On the occasion, Minister Bhusal said that Nepal attaches great importance to its partnership with Australia and stressed the need for further expanding the close, cordial and friendly bilateral relations established since 1960.

Appreciating the role played by the ambassador in further strengthening the Nepal-Australia partnership, Minister Bhusal thanked Australia for its support to Nepal's economic and social development.

Ambassador Volk assured that the Australian Government would continue to support Nepal's economic and human capacity building. During the meeting, she expressed her willingness to assist in the promotion of water resources and renewable energy. Ambassador Volk said that they want to move forward by promoting electric vehicles and cooperating in the field of water resources. Stating that work in the Kamala Basin in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Water and Energy Commission was underway, she said it would be made more effective.

An agreement was reached in 2017 between the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) of Australia to cooperate in water resource management. As per the agreement with CSIRO and in partnership with the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, a study has been done on the condition of Kamala Basin and a strategy has been formulated and implemented.