Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Khadak Raj Paudel ‘Ganess’ held a courtesy meeting with India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Nepal, H.E. Sudhakar Dalela, in Kathmandu on Friday, with discussions focusing on strengthening Nepal–India cooperation in tourism, aviation and cultural promotion. During the meeting, the two sides discussed opportunities for joint tourism promotion, the development of integrated Buddhist and Ramayana tourism circuits, and the expansion of bilateral air connectivity between Nepal and India.
Focus on Direct Flights from Pokhara and Gautam Buddha Airports
Minister Paudel emphasized the need to establish regular commercial flight services from Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport to major cities in India. He also stressed the importance of securing additional air entry routes to Nepal and enhancing bilateral cooperation in aviation safety, technical expertise and capacity building.
Improved connectivity, he noted, would contribute to increasing tourist movement and strengthening economic and tourism ties between the two neighboring countries. The expansion of direct air links is also expected to support greater accessibility to Nepal’s major tourism destinations while facilitating travel for Indian visitors to Pokhara, Lumbini and other destinations.
Buddhist and Ramayana Tourism Circuits
The meeting also highlighted the potential for developing integrated Buddhist and Ramayana tourism circuits linking important religious and cultural destinations in Nepal and India. Such circuits could further strengthen cross-border religious tourism while promoting the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the two countries. Both sides emphasized the importance of working together to maximize the tourism potential arising from their deep historical and cultural connections.
Preserving Shared Cultural Heritage
The two sides also discussed the preservation and promotion of shared cultural heritage, strengthening people-to-people relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. They emphasized that closer collaboration in these areas would help further deepen the longstanding historical, cultural and friendly relations between Nepal and India.
Nepal Reaffirms Commitment to Bilateral Cooperation
During the meeting, Minister Paudel reaffirmed its commitment to continuing cooperation with India for the mutual benefit and prosperity of both countries and their people. The discussions underscored the importance of stronger Nepal–India collaboration in tourism, aviation, culture and people-to-people exchanges, with both sides seeking to build on the longstanding bilateral relationship through practical areas of cooperation.
