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India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forums were organized in Nepal's industrial hubs Birgunj and Hetauda with the aim of supporting the bilateral economic partnership agenda. The forums, in collaboration with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), Bara Parsa Udyog Sangh (BPUS), Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), and Confederation of Bagmati Province Industries (CBPI), were held on 15-16 April 2026.

The discussions at the forums focused on various aspects of India-Nepal economic and trade cooperation, with an emphasis on Ease of Doing Business, compliance, technology-enabled processes, and hassle-free transit at border points. India, being Nepal's largest trading partner, the forums aimed to facilitate dialogues and connections among Nepalese businesses to explore investments and joint ventures in key sectors such as Tourism & Hospitality, Agriculture & Food Processing, Ayurveda & Organic Foods, Hydro & Renewable Energy, Infrastructure, IT & New Technology (AI/Data Centers, etc.), and Rare Minerals.

Devi Sahai Meena, Consul General of India, Birgunj, Nepal, who was the Chief Guest & Keynote Speaker at the forums, provided an overview of India-Nepal Economic & Commercial Relations. He highlighted the importance of open borders and connectivity projects in facilitating trade between the two countries. Recent developments in border infrastructure, digital connectivity, and bilateral power sector cooperation were noted as key factors expected to enhance bilateral trade.

Meena emphasized the potential for cooperation and knowledge exchange between India and Nepal, citing opportunities for collaboration in startups, innovation, tourism, employment generation, agriculture, and Ayurveda. He stressed the importance of leveraging each other's strengths and experiences to create a vibrant ecosystem that benefits both nations. Cooperation in Ayurveda and AYUSH medicine was also highlighted as a promising area for exploration, given the global interest in these traditional systems of medicine and well-being.

The forums were moderated by Atul K Thakur, Senior Secretary at the India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI, and featured industry leaders such as Ghanshyam Ojha, Director General of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI); Pramod Kumar Sah, President (Madhesh Province) of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI); Hari Prasad Gautam, President of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BiCCI); Suman Shrestha, Immediate Past President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Chitwan (CCIC); Ashok Temani, Immediate Past President (Madhesh Province) of FNCCI; Chiranjivi Subedi, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Chitwan (CCIC); Mohan Sharma, President of the Jeetpur Simra City Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Anil Kumar Agrawal, Immediate Past President of the Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BiCCI); Bishwash Pratap Shah, President of NYEF (FNCCI)-Birgunj Chapter; Niraj Agrawal, Vice President of NICCI Birgunj Chapter and Joint Treasurer of BiCCI; Pramod Singh Ranabhat, President of the Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI); Trilochan Kandel, President of the Confederation of Bagmati Province Industries (CBPI); Chandan Singh, First Vice President of NYEF Birgunj Chapter.

The discussions in the forums are expected to create new business opportunities in key sectors of the economy and boost trade in important India-Nepal border areas such as Birgunj-Raxaul and the Hetauda industry cluster.