What happened?
India and Nepal held the 9th Project Steering Committee and 7th Joint Working Group meetings in New Delhi from 27–28 February 2025 to review bilateral railway cooperation. Discussions focused on the progress of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and Jogbani-Biratnagar railway lines, technical collaboration, and capacity-building efforts. The Nepali delegation also visited the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management in Lucknow and Ayodhya.
Why it matters to India:
Enhancing railway connectivity with Nepal aligns with India’s broader regional integration strategy, fostering stronger economic and trade ties. These railway links facilitate cross-border trade, ease passenger movement, and enhance India’s role as a development partner. Improved connectivity also counters Chinese infrastructure investments in Nepal.