At the Indo-Nepal Friendship and Economic Cooperation and Presentation of Awards event held at the Malla Hotel, Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang underscored the deep-rooted and multifaceted relationship between Nepal and India. He highlighted that the bond between the two countries extends beyond governmental interactions to grassroots levels.
Minister Tamang spoke of the centuries-old political, cultural, economic, and religious ties between Nepal and India. While acknowledging that a close relationship can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and disputes, he emphasized the importance of resolving these issues through diplomatic means. “Our relationship with India spans various sectors such as religion, economy, and culture. Naturally, close ties can sometimes result in misunderstandings, but these should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue,” he said.
Addressing economic matters, Minister Tamang pointed out that India is Nepal’s largest trading partner, yet there is a significant trade deficit that needs to be addressed. He called for collaborative efforts to reduce this imbalance, noting that despite efforts to export electricity to India, the high import of industrial goods and services from India continues to widen the trade gap.
“Although we have made efforts to export electricity to mitigate the deficit, the substantial import of industrial goods and services from India means we must explore further options to reduce this trade gap,” he remarked.
Minister Tamang also identified the tourism sector as a crucial area for economic cooperation that could help reduce the trade deficit. He outlined plans to develop Pashupati, a major pilgrimage site in Kathmandu, following a master plan aimed at boosting tourism and fostering economic ties between the two nations. “Tourism can be a reliable foundation for reducing the trade deficit between Nepal and India. By managing Pashupati according to the master plan, we aim to attract more tourists and enhance economic cooperation,” he added.
