Bangladesh to finalise power import deal with Nepal soon

Bangladesh is set to sign a tripartite agreement with Nepal and India soon to facilitate the import of hydropower from Nepal using Indian transmission lines, according to Md Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

"A delegation from the interim government will soon visit Nepal to formalise the agreement for power import and export," Khan announced while attending a reception to mark Nepal’s National and Constitution Day at a city hotel on Friday evening.

Bangladesh, Nepal, and India recently reached an understanding to import 40MW of electricity from Nepal via India, six years after initially agreeing to collaborate on energy cooperation, according to official sources.

Speaking at the event, hosted by the Nepal Embassy in Dhaka, Khan expressed satisfaction with the increasing cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. He praised the friendship and collaboration between the two countries, stressing the importance of accelerating bilateral efforts in areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

In his opening address, Nepal’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, highlighted the significance of the day, which commemorates the historic adoption of Nepal’s democratic and inclusive Constitution in 2015.

"The day reflects the Nepali people's patriotism, commitment to democracy, and ability to resolve political differences independently," the ambassador said.

Bhandari also affirmed Nepal’s commitment to standing by Bangladesh during its transitional period, pledging full support and cooperation to the interim government and its people.

He mentioned that a tripartite agreement on exporting 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh via Indian transmission lines is expected to be signed soon.

Reflecting on the ties between the two nations, the ambassador underscored the potential of solidarity and cooperation to enhance connectivity and drive economic growth for the mutual benefit of both peoples.

The event also featured a cultural programme with traditional Nepali folk-dance performances, attended by political leaders from Bangladesh, high-ranking government officials, ambassadors, heads of missions and diplomats, representatives from international organisations, business leaders, media personnel, and members of the Nepali community living in Bangladesh.