"India-Nepal Partnership Summit 2025" Organised At BIhar's Purnea

In association with the Sub Himalayan Research Institute (SHRI), PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre organized "India-Nepal Partnership Summit 2025: Accelerating Cooperation in Neighbourhood" on 22 April 2025 at Vidya Vihar Institute of Technology (VVIT), Purnea, Bihar, India. The Summit was supported by VVIT and Varun Beverages Ltd. The Summit explored the multifaceted relationship between India and Nepal, focusing on enhancing border area development/economic cooperation for the Sub Himalayan, Seemanchal-Kosi/Mithilanchal regions.

Among others, the Summit was addressed by: Prof Ratneshwar Mishra, Historian; Chairman, Sub Himalayan Research Institute; Prof Manindra Nath Thakur, Trustee, Sub Himalayan Research Institute; Mr Atul K Thakur, Secretary, India-Nepal Centre, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Mr Bhaskar Koirala, Director & Founder, Nepal Institute of International and Strategic Studies; Mr Anil Shah, Senior Vice President, Morang Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Biratnagar, Nepal; Mr Abhishek Choudhary, President (Birgunj Chapter, Nepal), Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI); Mr Mukesh K Bhattarai "Upadhyay", President (Biratnagar, Koshi Province, Nepal), Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI); Dr Raman, Additional Director, Sub Himalayan Research Institute; Mr Girindra Nath Jha, Journalist & Author; Mr Pushya Mitra, Journalist & Author; Mr Pravin Narayan Choudhary, Export Head, Asian Thai Foods Pvt Ltd, Nepal & President, Maithili Association-Nepal, Biratnagar; Mr Basudev Baral, Member, Koshi Province Tourism Year 2082 (Nepal) & Coordinator, Religious & Cultural Council

India and Nepal, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, share an open border extending over 1,850 kilometres, intertwining their destinies through cultural, economic, and geographical threads woven over centuries. The regions of Purnea, Seemanchal, Kosi and Mithilanchal, situated along this permeable border are emblematic of the dynamic interplay between these two nations. They are vital junctions where daily lives, economies, and ecosystems overlap in a tapestry of shared heritage and mutual dependencies. Understanding the nuances of Indo-Nepal relations, mainly through the lens of these border areas, is not just about examining the flow of goods and people but also about recognizing the deep cultural resonances and environmental synergies that define this relationship.

The "India-Nepal Partnership Summit 2025" in Purnea explored the multi-dimensional aspects of India-Nepal bilateral relations. The Summit provided a platform for experts' from both nations to discuss and dissect the complexities of their interactions, highlighting the successes and addressing the challenges of cross-border cooperation. At the heart of India-Nepal relations lies the rich tapestry of cultural interconnections that span centuries. Festivals, languages, religious practices and daily customs easily cross the border, often blurring the lines of national distinctions. Communities both sides of the border share familial ties, with marriages and social customs weaving a dense network of interpersonal connections. The Summit will explore how these age-old cultural bonds can be leveraged to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties. The Summit's siscussions focused on cultural diplomacy initiatives, joint cultural festivals and educational exchanges that can enhance mutual understanding and respect.

The Himalayan region's shared ecosystems present challenges and opportunities for environmental management. The rivers that originate in the Nepalese Himalayas are lifelines for the regions of Purnea, Seemanchal, Kosi and Mithilanchal supporting agriculture and fisheries and providing critical water resources. However, they also bring floods and the associated devastation to these areas almost annually. The Summit will explore the environmental policies that impact these shared resources, examining existing agreements and new frameworks for cooperative ecological governance. The Summit had the detailed discussions on sustainable water management practices, joint disaster response strategies and conservation efforts that respect the ecological interdependencies of the region.

The economic ties between India and Nepal are underscored by trade routes that traverse the border regions, bringing goods and services across nations and fostering economic interdependence. The bordering regions of North Bihar to Nepal serve as critical nodes in this economic network, facilitating trade and commerce that support local economies on both sides of the border. The Summit proved to be an important dialogue platform for creating a roadmap of further accelerating economic cooperation between India and Nepal.