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India and Nepal on Wednesday reviewed progress on bilateral cooperation in hydropower, electricity trade and cross-border transmission infrastructure during the 13th meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Power Sector Cooperation held in Pokhara.

According to a press release issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the meeting was co-chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary at India's Ministry of Power, and Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

The JSC meeting was preceded by the 13th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Power Sector Cooperation on Tuesday. The JWG was co-chaired by Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Transmission) at India's Ministry of Power, and Sandip Kumar Dev, Joint Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

According to the Embassy, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in the power sector, including the development of hydropower projects, electricity trade and transmission infrastructure.

The discussions also reviewed progress on new cross-border transmission lines, including the 400 kV Gorakhpur–New Butwal transmission line, and explored ways to expedite the implementation of ongoing and planned power generation and transmission projects, the Embassy said.

The two countries also discussed coordinated operation of the Indian and Nepali power grids, development of solar energy projects, cooperation in green hydrogen, and capacity building for Nepali energy professionals, according to the press release.

Ahead of the JSC meeting, Indian Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on Tuesday, the Embassy said.

According to the press release, the discussions are expected to further strengthen power sector cooperation between India and Nepal.