नेपाल-भारतबीच व्यक्ति-व्यक्ति डिजिटल भुक्तानी सुरु : ८४ पुनर्निर्माण आयोजना हस्तान्तरण, एआईमा पनि सहकार्यNepal, India Launch Cross-Border Person-to-Person Digital Payments; 84 Reconstruction Projects Handed Over, AI Cooperation Expanded

KATHMANDU — The meeting between Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, currently on a visit to India, and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has produced three concrete outcomes: the launch of a cross-border digital payment service, the handover of 84 post-earthquake reconstruction projects, and an expansion of cooperation in artificial intelligence. Understandings on these matters were reached during the talks, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The most directly felt of the three is the digital payment service. The talks saw the announcement that person-to-person cross-border digital payments have come into operation under the 2023 memorandum of understanding between Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Until now, Indian tourists could make digital payments in Nepal, but no such facility existed for Nepali citizens in India — the new arrangement opens that one-way door in both directions. The service is expected to ease money transfers particularly for students, workers, tourists and those engaged in cross-border trade.

The meeting also saw the announcement of the formal handover of 84 post-earthquake reconstruction projects completed with the Indian government's support. Of these, 72 relate to the health sector while 12 concern cultural heritage.

On the technology front, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Under this, a memorandum of understanding was exchanged between the Engineering Center for Digital Public Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence at Kathmandu University's School of Engineering and India's Digital India Bhashini division for the development of a voice-first language translation platform, the ministry said.

In an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV during the visit, Foreign Minister Khanal said Nepal's new government wishes to take the relationship with India forward in a new way. Leaving behind past discomforts and differences, he said, the government has adopted a policy of expanding cooperation with connectivity, energy, trade and technology partnership as its priorities.