New Delhi, 21 February (H.S.):

The second edition of the India-Nepal Trade Festival commenced on Friday at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Hauz Khas, New Delhi, aiming to fortify economic bonds, promote tourism, and foster cultural exchanges between the neighboring nations under the theme Connecting People, Enhancing Bilateral Trade.

Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma and India's Additional Secretary (Northern Division) MEA Munu Mahawar inaugurated the three-day event (February 20-22), featuring over 10 high-level sessions and policy dialogues with more than 60 experts from both countries.

Organized by the Everest Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ECCI) in collaboration with the Nepal Embassy, Nepal Tourism Board, and Trade and Export Promotion Centre, it highlights hydropower-energy partnerships, cross-border trade and connectivity, Ramayana and Buddhist circuit tourism integration, banking-fintech-digital economy, media-cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, education-innovation-startups, and Indo-Nepal Vision 2030.

Ambassador Sharma stressed amplifying Nepal's tourism promotion in India, particularly sites like Ramgram Stupa. ECCI President Yuvraj Baral underscored the millennia-old roti-beti (bread-daughter) familial ties, with the festival advancing relations via trade, arts, culture, and cinema.

Day one featured a screening of the Nepali film Gurkha Warrior directed by Milan Chamling Rai, followed by a panel on cinema's soft power role in Nepal-India relations; cultural performances, traditional arts, authentic Nepali cuisine, over 60 stalls, and an estimated 25,000 visitors complete the vibrant showcase.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar