The seminar titled ‘Nepal–India Think Tank Summit (NITTS) 2018’ was organized by AIDIA and Nehru Memorial Museum Library (NMML) in Kathmandu on July 31, 2018.

An official release informed that the summit will work on cooperation in key areas through regular dialogues and institutional collaboration on resource-sharing for joint events between think-tanks of the two countries.

“The Summit will for the first time address the need for greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Nepali and Indian think tanks as well as the particular problem of bridging the gap between think tanks and policymakers,” AIDIA said in a statement.

According to AIDIA, the ever-growing political and socioeconomic challenges are limiting the scope for thinking and planning.

In view of that fact, the Summit will start showcasing the role of think-tanks in transforming Nepal-India bilateral relations.

The summit is bringing together think-tanks, government representatives, diplomatic missions, policy makers, academicians, business sectors and media to discuss on making meaningful conclusions and recommendations.  

‘Look South’ Policy
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, the Director of Think-tank India Foundation Ram Madhav said oceans can play a vital role in Nepal’s development considering the importance of water connectivity.

In this regard, he called on Nepal to adopt the ‘Look South’ policy to gain advantage of better connectivity through Indian Ocean.

Terming Indian Ocean as the most-happening aspect, Ram Madhav urged Nepal to get the best of the Ocean by tapping its potential using Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port and India’s Calcutta Port.

Speaking further on Indian Government’s move towards supporting neighboring nations, Madhav informed that India is committed to support Nepal and has extended its support in the latter’s efforts to progress in the path of parliamentary democracy. 

Key objectives of the summit include:

• Exploring the role of think-tanks in shaping Indo-Nepal relations;
• Encouraging active collaboration on research, publication, sharing of information, human resource and finance to promote joint events between the participating think-tanks and supports evidence-based policymaking;
• Gaining a better understanding of the organizational and policy challenges facing think tanks and policymakers in Nepal and India;
• Identifying the most pressing policy challenges and bilateral issues related to political, economic and security between Nepal and India in the current scenario and the ways to tackle these for promoting mutually inclusive bilateral relations;

AIDIA is planning similar summits every year under the single agenda of strengthening bilateral ties.

“The Summit is proposed to become an annual feature for the participating organizations and will be hosted alternatively each year in Nepal and India respectively. Important issues encountering Nepal–India ties and emerging issues in regional/international level will form the specific themes of the Summit each year,” informed an official release.               

This year’s Summit on July 31, 2018 saw the participation of  Former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as its chief guest, along with other key dignitaries including Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri, AIDIA Founder Sunil KC and Director of India Foundation and BJP National General Secretary and India Think-tank Director Ram Madhav, among others.

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In the meanwhile, Mustang, Nepal’s famous tourist destination site is gearing up for Narendra Modi’s visit to Muktinath, a famous Hindu pilgrimage site, on 11^th of May.

The Plan of Action

Speaking about the arrangements, Chief District Officer, Sishir Poudel said, “security has been heightened throughout the district with the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, the Nepal Army and the National Investigation Department conducting security surveillance.”

A committee has been formed under the coordination of Chhemchok Chhetan Gurung, chairman of Bhragaon Muktishetra Rural Municipality, to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.

The 76 km Beni-Jomsom road which is usually closed for 8 hours daily due to repair and maintenance, has been opened for three days as part of the arrangements beign made for Prime Minister Modi’s visit on May 11^th . Emergency medical services have also been arranged.

A group of dignitaries from India, including officials of the Indian Army arrived in Mustang on 4^th May to inspect the security arrangements made for the Indian Prime Minister’s visit.

Narendra Modi will be travelling from Janakpur to Mustang in a Helicopter. CDO Poudel has mentioned “There are 2 helipads near Muktinath and a third one is being constructed.”

The Agenda

“Modi’s visit to Muktinath is expected to further strengthen the Nepal-India relations at the people to people level and promote religious tourism”, said Chandra Bahadur Thakali, a civil society leader.

Earlier, last month, Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli had visited India to strengthen ties and target next-level development.

Also Read: Oli India Visit 2018: India, Nepal Strengthen Ties, Target Next-level Development

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