India and Nepal Sign MoU to Promote Bilateral Cooperation

What’s the News?

India and Nepal have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral cooperation in key environmental and wildlife conservation sectors. The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Bhupender Yadav, India’s Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Nepal’s Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment.

Key Areas of Cooperation under the MoU

Forests, wildlife and environment – strengthening management and protection.

Biodiversity conservation and climate change – joint strategies at landscape levels.

Transboundary protected area management – restoration of wildlife corridors and shared ecosystems.

Emphasis on key species such as elephants, Gangetic dolphins, rhinos, snow leopards, tigers, and vultures.

Capacity building and enforcement cooperation on wildlife crime and forest protection.

India–Nepal Bilateral Relations

India and Nepal share an open border, with deep historical, cultural and economic ties shaping bilateral relations.

Nepal is a landlocked country situated between India and China.

The two countries maintain cooperation in multiple sectors including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and trade.

Other Ongoing Cooperation Agreements

India–Nepal have signed MoUs covering agriculture cooperation to boost sustainability and food security.

India supports hydropower and energy trade, including planned cross-border transmission lines for electricity exports from Nepal.

Multiple High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) enhance Nepal’s infrastructure in education, health and culture with Indian assistance.

Shared Environmental Goals

Both countries are parties to global frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), reflecting shared commitments to biodiversity targets.

Transboundary ecosystems like the Terai Arc Landscape are vital for wildlife corridors extending between India and Nepal.

Facts about Nepal:

Capital: Kathmandu

Type of Government: Federal Democratic Republic

Legislature: Federal Parliament (Bicameral)

House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)

National Assembly (Rastriya Sabha)

President: Ram Chandra Poudel

Prime minister: Sushila Karki

Constitution: Adopted in 2015

Geography

Location: Landlocked country between India (South, East, West) and China (North).

Highest Peak: Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) – 8,848.86 m

Major Rivers: Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali (tributaries of the Ganga system).

Important Landscape: Terai Arc Landscape (shared with India).

Historical Facts

Formerly: HindKingdom (abolished monarchy in 2008).

Declared a Federal Democratic Republic in 2008.

Member of the United Nations since 1955.

Economy & Resources

Major sectors: Agriculture, Hydropower, Tourism.

Huge hydropower potential (important for India–Nepal energy trade).

Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR).