New Delhi: The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan met H.E. Mr Deepak Bohara, Minister of Supplies of Nepal today. Both Indian and Nepalese Ministers witnessed the renewal of Supply Agreement between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for a period of another five years. The renewed Agreement is an umbrella document between the two parties which apart from detailing the supply of POL products, also puts in place an institutional mechanism for cooperation in the areas of additional services and technical assistance between the two.
Both Ministers congratulated IOCL and NOC on signing of the Supply Agreement. They expressed confidence that it would lead to further engagements in the hydrocarbon sector between the two countries and make it one of the important areas of bilateral relationship between India and Nepal.
India and Nepal relations are characterized by open borders, integrated economies and deep-rooted people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture. In the hydrocarbon sector, India has the record of un-interrupted supply of petroleum products to Nepal. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), India’s largest marketing PSU, has been supplying to the neighbouring Nation its petroleum product requirement since 1974. Both countries are presently working towards further deepening the engagement in the oil and gas sector, including construction of petroleum product Motihari – Amlekhgunj Pipeline.
During the meeting, Shri Pradhan assured India’s continued support to Nepal in meeting its complete hydrocarbon requirement. The Minister discussed various issues of mutual interest with Mr Deepak Bohara, including the status of Motihari – Amlekhgunj petroleum product pipeline. He highlighted that the pipeline once completed will further ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply of products to Nepal. Both Ministers also discussed on construction of a similar pipeline for supply of LPG between India and Nepal.
Shri Pradhan emphasized the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY) to his Nepalese counterpart and recommended its implementation in Nepal. He said that India will assist Nepal in the implementation of Ujjwala Yojna by sharing its experience and expertise. He also reiterated India’s commitment towards meeting the entire hydrocarbon requirements of Nepal and assisting the country in building required hydrocarbon infrastructure.
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