First minister-level Nepal-India energy talks in Delhi

ANIL GIRI

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal and India are all set to hold the first energy minister-level talks on key issues pertaining to water resources in New Delhi on Wednesday Feb 15th, 2012.

Among other things, the implementation of the Pancheshwar Multi Purpose Project, a part of the Nepal-India Mahakali Treaty, and finalisation of the long-pending Power Trading Agreement (PTA) are the top agendas for the meeting. Energy Minister Post Bahadur Bogati is leading a 22-member Nepali delegation to the talks.

A meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday decided to send a 20-member delegation to India and approved Nepal’s agendas. Two officials from Nepal’s mission in New Delhi will also join in.

Nepal has made up its mind to request India to give final touches to the long-pending Power Development Agreement (PDA), construction of a 400-KV cross-border transmission corridor between Dhalkebar and Muzaffarpur and importing an additional 200 MW of electricity from the southern neighbour.

“However, we have to hold discussions with them (Indian officials) if they raise the issue of the implementation of the Pancheshwar project. So far, there are no negative talks, although we have been opposing the Mahakali Treaty,” Minister Bogati had told The Kathmandu Post a few days ago.

As of now, both the sides have agreed to set up the Pancheshwor Development Authority (PDA) and solicit each other’s ideas on endorsing the Terms of References (ToR) for the same.

The Mahakali treaty envisions generating 6,000 MW hydropower from Pancheshwar. The treaty hasn’t made any headway since its ratification by both sides in 2006. 

Nepali side, however, is thinking to be on the safe-side by avoiding talks on controversial issues of Pancheshwar, Koshi and some others given the fragile political situation back at home.

“Our priority is to import electricity from India by expanding and upgrading the existing transmission facilities to cope with the growing energy crisis,” said a Nepali participant preferring anonymity. To this effect, Nepal will see how India will respond on the proposed PTA, which aims to export and import powers, said officials.

The Indian side has proposed implementation of the Pancheshwar project and finalisation of ToR of the proposed PDA, preparation of a feasibility study for the Sapta Koshi Multi Purpose Project. India has proposed talks also on inundation on its side. Nepali side is likely to raise the issue of early execution of 200 MW Naumure hydro project that India had agreed to build in 2007.

Source: www.ekantipur.com