India Strengthens Agricultural Ties with Nepal, Bhutan and BIMSTEC
Kathmandu, April 9: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led the Indian delegation in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Nepal, Bhutan, and representatives from the BIMSTEC platform, aimed at enhancing agricultural cooperation and regional development.
India-Nepal Agricultural Cooperation Receives Fresh Momentum
In Kathmandu, Minister Chouhan met with Shri Ramnath Adhikari, Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development. The two leaders reviewed the ongoing India-Nepal agricultural cooperation and explored avenues for further collaboration. Key areas discussed included the Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) under the recently signed MoU, and institutional partnerships between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC).
Progress on India’s proposal for establishing an Agro-Industrial Park in Chitwan, along with developments under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), was reviewed. The Ministers also discussed deepening cooperation in the livestock sector and enhancing academic exchange between agricultural institutions of both countries.
India Reaffirms Commitment to BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation
Minister Chouhan also held a meeting with Shri Indramani Pandey, Secretary General of BIMSTEC, to discuss opportunities for advancing BIMSTEC agricultural cooperation. Emphasizing the shared regional challenges—such as climate change, food security, and resource management—Chouhan stressed the need for collaborative solutions and experience sharing among member countries.
The Minister reiterated India’s dedication to the BIMSTEC Plan of Action 2023–2027, reaffirming support through initiatives such as:
- The BIMSTEC Agricultural Scholarship Program
- Capacity-building programs on seed development, pest management, animal health
- Workshops on advanced technologies like nanotechnology and remote sensing
He also highlighted India’s efforts in setting up the proposed BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Agriculture in New Delhi, which will serve as a hub for innovation and knowledge-sharing in the region.
India-Bhutan Agriculture Collaboration: Focus on Irrigation, Mega Farms
In another key bilateral engagement, Shri Chouhan met with Mr. Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Bhutan’s Minister for Agriculture and Livestock. Both leaders reviewed India-Bhutan agricultural cooperation, with a focus on irrigation infrastructure, development of mega farms, and signing a forthcoming MoU on technical cooperation.
While India reiterated its commitment to supporting Bhutan’s agricultural goals, the Bhutanese side requested enhanced financial assistance to overcome resource constraints and implement key initiatives.
High-Level Meeting with Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli
Minister Chouhan also had the honor of calling on Shri K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal. Both sides reaffirmed their long-standing friendly relations and shared optimism about the future of India-Nepal agricultural ties.
Minister Chouhan expressed hope that the newly signed MoU would further deepen cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors. Discussions also included plans for setting up a fertilizer plant in Nepal and addressing market access issues to benefit farmers in both countries.
Indian Delegation and Officials in Attendance
Minister Chouhan was accompanied by:
- Shri Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal
- Shri Samuel Praveen Kumar, Joint Secretary, DA&FW
- Dr. D.K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR
- Dr. A.K. Mishra, Principal Scientist, ICAR
These engagements reflect India’s strategic push to build resilient agricultural partnerships across South Asia and the Bay of Bengal region.
