Birgunj turned into a hub of cross-border business diplomacy on August 27 as the India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit 2025 convened industry leaders, policymakers, and chambers of commerce from both sides of the border. Hosted by the PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre in association with the Consulate General of India, Birgunj, the NICCI Birgunj Chapter, and the NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, the summit aimed at accelerating bilateral economic cooperation for shared prosperity.
From automobile associations to provincial policymakers, the gathering drew a diverse mix of voices. The Consul General of India, Birgunj, and the Vice Chairman of the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission were among the prominent speakers, while representatives of NICCI, BiCCI, FNCCI, NADA, and business chambers from neighbouring Bihar added weight to the deliberations.
Speaking on the occasion, the “Chief Guest & Keynote Speaker”, Devi Sahai Meena, Consul General of India, Birgunj (Nepal) presented a brief overview of India-Nepal bilateral economic and trade relations. He also emphasized that India has made remarkable progress in various sectors of the economy, and Nepali businesses can benefit by partnering with Indian businesses.
He said, “To further enhance the bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen the base of Nepalese businesses in India (with focus on India’s bordering states with Nepal), the ‘India-Nepal Economic Partnership Summit 2025’ is an important initiative that shall help in further improving the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ between India and Nepal.” “India and Nepal share strong economic ties—and we will further help enhancing its base with improved connectivity and trade transit facilities.”
Dr Sohan Prasad Sha, vice chairman, Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, Government of Madhesh Province, Nepal, said: “India’s serious consideration of Nepal’s investment aspiration is a must for the real economic turnaround of the Nepalese economy. The Madhesh Pradesh government is doing its best to improve the economic gains in key sectors like tourism, food processing, and renewable energy.” Sha also said that the Madhesh Province Policy and Planning Commission, Government of Madhesh Province, Nepal, was keeping a data-centric policymaking approach for informed decisions for the economic development of Madhesh Pradesh, besides to improving the cross-border trade with India.
Abhishek Choudhary, president, NICCI Birgunj Chapter, “India and Nepal share more than just geography. We share history, culture and aspirations for a better future. Our economies are deeply interlinked, and when one grows, the other also benefits. Today, we must look beyond trade balances and focus on creating win-win opportunities—whether it be in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, energy, or digital trade.”
“Substantial progress has been achieved in recent years in key areas of India-Nepal bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of connectivity—physical, digital, energy and people-to-people linkages This is manifested in the steady implementation of infrastructure projects related to roads, bridges, cross-border railways, Integrated Check Posts and petroleum pipelines,” Atul K Thakur, secretary, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI said in his opening remarks.
He added, “Some of the major outcomes of recent high-level visits include landmark connectivity initiatives such as completed Integrated Check Post at Raxaul-Birgunj border and progress in the Integrated Check Posts at Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa and Dodhra-Chandni; inauguration of a freight train service between India and Nepal, progress on the Kurtha – Bijalpura and Raxual-Kathmandu railway line; momentum on the Motihari-Amelekhgunj pipeline phase-II and construction of a new petroleum pipeline from Siliguri to Jhapa and Amelekhgunj to Chitwan.”
“Major landmarks in the power sector include the finalisation of the long-term power trade agreement; finalisation of the trilateral power trade agreement between India, Nepal, and Bangladesh; and signing of agreements with respect to the development of new hydropower projects in Nepal by Indian developers, including the 480 MW Phukot Karnali and the 669 MW Lower Arun”, Thakur said.
“In the field of digital financial connectivity, Nepal started accepting UPI payments since March 2024 through interoperability with FonePay QR of Nepal. National Payments Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) are working closely to facilitate cross-border digital payments more smoothly, and this is opening a new chapter in the financial technology domain.”
Indian firms remain the largest investors in Nepal, accounting for 35% of total FDI stock, valued at nearly USD 777 million. On the trade front, Nepal has emerged as India’s 17th largest export destination, climbing from 28th position in 2014. India constitutes 64.1% of Nepal’s total trade, amounting to USD 7.87 billion in FY 2023–24, which includes USD 7.041 billion in exports from India to Nepal and USD 829.71 million in exports from Nepal to India.
India is also Nepal’s largest export market, absorbing 67.9% of Nepal’s total exports (Nepal Rastra Bank, mid-August 2023 to mid-July 2024). Other key destinations include the United States, Germany, Turkey, France, the UK, Australia, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Nepal’s major exports comprise edible oil, coffee, tea, and jute, while its principal imports from India include petroleum products, iron and steel, cereals, vehicles and parts, and machinery.
Currently, around 150 Indian ventures operate in Nepal across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, banking, insurance, dry ports, education, telecom, power, and tourism. The India-Nepal partnership continues to deepen across economic, cultural, and people-to-people domains, underlining its strategic and enduring importance.
Among other key speakers’ were: Ashok Temani, president (Madhesh Pradesh), FNCCI; Hari Gautam, president, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries; Anil Kumar Agrawal, immediate past president, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries; Suman Shrestha, president, Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Chitwan; Kedar Kumar Agrawal, president, NADA Automobile Association of Nepal, Madhesh Pradesh; Rahul Agarwal, president-elect, NADA Automobile Association of Nepal-Madhesh Pradesh; Angad Singh, president, Motihari Chamber of Commerce (Bihar, India); Ranjeet Karn, hon’ble member, Constituent Assembly (2013-17), Nepal; Architect & Urban Planner and Project Consultant; Bishwash Pratap Shah, president, NYEF (FNCCI)-Birgunj Chapter; Deepak Rauniar, founder CEO, Oorja World; Mahesh Kumar Agrawal, pominent entrepreneur (Raxaul, Bihar, India); Narayan Prasad Homagai, prominent entrepreneur (Kolkata, India); Madhav Duwadi, managing director, Hotel Seven Star, Sauraha (Nepal); Manish Anand, CEO, Mithila Naturals Pvt Ltd (Madhubani, Bihar, India); Shiv Shankar Shah, head-international relations, Krupanidhi Group of Institutions & International Education Consultant; Krishna Kumar, director, Parwati Buildtech Pvt Ltd (Patna, Bihar, India); Diwakar Kumar, director, Vaisanavi Construction (Patna, Bihar, India); Niraj Agrawal, vice president, NICCI Birgunj Chapter and joint treasurer, Birgunj Chamber of Commerce & Industries; Bhumi Raj Dhungana, commercial head, Berger Jenson & Nicholson (Nepal) Pvt Ltd; Rajendra Koirala, CEO, Gyanda Academy; Mohan Sharma, president, Jeetpur Simra Chamber of Commerce (Nepal).
