India Strengthens Agri Ties with Nepal & Bhutan at BIMSTEC Meet
ECONOMY & POLICY

India Strengthens Agri Ties with Nepal & Bhutan at BIMSTEC Meet

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led India’s delegation at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Kathmandu, where he held a series of high-level bilateral discussions with counterparts from Nepal and Bhutan, further advancing India’s regional cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

India–Nepal: A Renewed Partnership During his meeting with Nepal’s Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Shri Ramnath Adhikari, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, replacing the earlier 1991 agreement. The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in crop productivity, post-harvest management, agricultural trade, and climate-resilient farming.

The ministers reviewed progress on India’s proposal to establish an Agro-Industrial Park in Chitwan, and projects under the High Impact Community Development Programme (HICDP). Cooperation between ICAR and Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) was also spotlighted, alongside plans to convene a Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) under the new framework.

Boosting BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation Shri Chouhan also called on BIMSTEC Secretary General Shri Indramani Pandey, reaffirming India’s commitment to agricultural cooperation among member states. Highlighting shared challenges like climate change and food security, the Minister emphasised the importance of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action 2023–2027. India reiterated its support for initiatives such as the BIMSTEC Agricultural Scholarship, regional training programmes, and the establishment of a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Agriculture in New Delhi.

India–Bhutan: Strengthening Traditional Ties In a separate meeting with Mr Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Bhutan’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Shri Chouhan reviewed cooperation in irrigation, mega farms, and allied sectors. The two sides discussed signing an MoU on technical cooperation soon, with Bhutan requesting increased support from India for its agricultural development.

Meeting with Nepal PM Shri Chouhan also called on Shri K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal. The two leaders reaffirmed the countries’ friendly ties and expressed optimism that the newly signed MoU would elevate India–Nepal agricultural collaboration. India also reiterated its offer to support Nepal through projects such as the fertilizer plant and agro-industrial initiatives.

These engagements reaffirm India’s proactive role in strengthening regional agricultural ties and promoting food security, innovation, and sustainability across South Asia.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, led India’s delegation at the 3rd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Kathmandu, where he held a series of high-level bilateral discussions with counterparts from Nepal and Bhutan, further advancing India’s regional cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors. India–Nepal: A Renewed Partnership During his meeting with Nepal’s Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Shri Ramnath Adhikari, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed, replacing the earlier 1991 agreement. The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in crop productivity, post-harvest management, agricultural trade, and climate-resilient farming. The ministers reviewed progress on India’s proposal to establish an Agro-Industrial Park in Chitwan, and projects under the High Impact Community Development Programme (HICDP). Cooperation between ICAR and Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) was also spotlighted, alongside plans to convene a Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) under the new framework. Boosting BIMSTEC Agricultural Cooperation Shri Chouhan also called on BIMSTEC Secretary General Shri Indramani Pandey, reaffirming India’s commitment to agricultural cooperation among member states. Highlighting shared challenges like climate change and food security, the Minister emphasised the importance of the BIMSTEC Plan of Action 2023–2027. India reiterated its support for initiatives such as the BIMSTEC Agricultural Scholarship, regional training programmes, and the establishment of a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence in Agriculture in New Delhi. India–Bhutan: Strengthening Traditional Ties In a separate meeting with Mr Lyonpo Younten Phuntsho, Bhutan’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Shri Chouhan reviewed cooperation in irrigation, mega farms, and allied sectors. The two sides discussed signing an MoU on technical cooperation soon, with Bhutan requesting increased support from India for its agricultural development. Meeting with Nepal PM Shri Chouhan also called on Shri K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal. The two leaders reaffirmed the countries’ friendly ties and expressed optimism that the newly signed MoU would elevate India–Nepal agricultural collaboration. India also reiterated its offer to support Nepal through projects such as the fertilizer plant and agro-industrial initiatives. These engagements reaffirm India’s proactive role in strengthening regional agricultural ties and promoting food security, innovation, and sustainability across South Asia.

Next Story
Real Estate

Dubai Real Estate Sales Reach AED48 Billion

Dubai’s real estate market recorded 13,977 sales transactions worth AED48 billion in April 2026, reflecting continued resilience across residential and commercial segments.According to a market update by fäm Properties, sales volume rose 3.5 per cent month-on-month compared to March, while total sales value increased by 10.7 per cent. The commercial sector, including offices and shops, recorded the strongest growth, with 561 transactions valued at AED4 billion, up 33.9 per cent year-on-year and 36.2 per cent month-on-month.Apartment sales rose 6.5 per cent month-on-month to 11,377 transacti..

Next Story
Real Estate

Casagrand Launches 35-Acre Hyderabad Project

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Vybe, its largest residential project in Hyderabad, spread across 35 acres in Rajendra Nagar. The launch marks the company’s fifth residential rollout in 2026 and strengthens its expansion momentum in the city.As part of its Hyderabad growth strategy, Casagrand is adding 3.98 million sq ft of residential space to its portfolio. Since entering the Hyderabad residential market in 2023, the company has scaled its presence with projects across key micro-markets. In 2025, it launched four projects — Casagrand Evon, Casagrand Windsor Court, Casagrand Belair and C..

Next Story
Technology

Bentley Event Spotlights AI Infrastructure

Bentley Systems recently hosted Illuminate Mumbai 2026, bringing together infrastructure leaders, policymakers, technology experts and academia to discuss how AI-driven engineering and digital twins can accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.The event focused on scaling intelligent and connected infrastructure ecosystems beyond digital adoption. Discussions covered the use of infrastructure AI, open data environments and digital twin technologies to improve project delivery, sustainability and long-term asset performance across key sectors.Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Exec..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement