Hon’ble Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia,
Union Minister of Communications, Government of India,
Hon’ble Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India,
Hon’ble Shri Anil Kumar Sinha,
Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal,
His Excellency Shankar Prasad Sharma,
Ambassador of Nepal to India,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honor to be here in New Delhi at the 2nd Indo-Nepal Trade Festival 2026.
I sincerely thank the organizers for bringing us together on this important platform. The relationship between India and Nepal is unique. It is built not only on geography, but on shared culture, open borders, deep family ties and strong business connections. India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and one of our biggest investors. Our economies are closely connected, and our growth is linked to each other.
At a time when the global economy is facing uncertainty, neighbours must cooperate more closely.
India’s continued focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, digital connectivity and green energy creates new opportunities for regional growth. Nepal can connect to these initiatives through cross-border trade, energy cooperation, tourism and joint ventures.
Nepal is also moving forward with economic reforms and infrastructure development. We have strong potential in hydropower, agriculture, IT and manufacturing. We are already exporting electricity to India.
Tourism is another major area of cooperation. Nepal offers natural beauty, adventure, spiritual heritage and warm hospitality. We are developing quality tourism infrastructure, including hotels, resorts and cable car projects across the country.
We are connecting many historic and religious destinations through cable car circuit. This makes travel easier and safer for pilgrims, senior citizens and families.
Sacred sites such as Pashupatinath Temple, Muktinath Temple, Janaki Temple and Lumbini have deep emotional connections with millions of Indian devotees. By improving access and facilities, we are strengthening the spiritual tourism link between our two countries.
We are also seeing a new trend. Hill stations near the Nepal–India border are becoming popular among visitors from the Indian plains. Nepal’s pleasant weather, clean air and peaceful environment attract families for weekend holidays.
Destination weddings are also growing quickly. Nepal offers beautiful mountain backdrops, cool climate and luxury resorts at competitive costs. I would like to invite our Indian friends to join hands with us.
Let us develop joint ventures in hill stations, destination wedding projects and quality tourism infrastructure. Together, we can create world-class facilities and attract more Indian tourists to Nepal. Nepal’s beauty is diverse and unique. Within a short distance, one can experience the Himalayas, green hills, rivers, forests and wildlife.
We have rich culture, many languages and festivals throughout the year. From tropical plains to cool mountains, our geography offers something for everyone.
There are also investment opportunities in industrial parks, special economic zones, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, education, health services and cross-border logistics. The private sector in both countries must work towards deeper economic integration, smoother customs procedures and better digital trade systems.
The Indo-Nepal Trade Festival is a platform to convert goodwill into business partnerships. Let us use this opportunity to identify concrete areas of collaboration — from green energy to tourism, from digital services to manufacturing. India and Nepal share an open border and an open heart. With mutual trust and shared vision, we can take our economic partnership to a new level.
Thank you.
[Mr Chandra Dhakal, President of Federation of Nepali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), largest umbrella organization of Nepali industries, was addressing the 2nd Indo-Nepal Trade Festival 2026 in New Delhi on Feb 20, 2026.]
