Kathmandu, July 21 - The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) hosted the 3rd edition of its Distinguished Lecture Series today, under the theme “India’s Trillion Dollar Economy: Advantage to Nepal”, featuring a keynote address by Mr. Shishir Priyadarshi, President of the Chintan Research Foundation and a former senior official at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
In his address, Mr. Priyadarshi emphasized the growing momentum of India's economy, projected to reach the trillion-dollar mark, and underscored the strategic imperative for Nepal to align itself with this growth trajectory. “Nepal must not remain a bystander to India’s economic ascent. Instead, it should actively position itself to benefit from shared prosperity,” he said.
He outlined five key recommendations for Nepal to enhance economic synergy with its southern neighbor:
1. Establish a Nepal-India Economic Forum to promote regular dialogue, trade facilitation, and policy coordination.
2. Operationalize low-hanging fruits in bilateral cooperation, such as simplifying trade procedures and utilizing existing infrastructure.
3. Develop Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in border regions to attract investment and promote export-oriented industries.
4. Build a Start-up and Innovation Bridge, enabling entrepreneurs and tech innovators from both countries to collaborate, share knowledge, and access new markets.
5. Invest in border infrastructure, improving connectivity and reducing logistical bottlenecks that currently hinder cross-border trade and movement.
The event also marked a significant step toward enhanced regional cooperation, as AIDIA and the Chintan Research Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU aims to institutionalize collaboration between the two think tanks to promote joint research, policy advocacy, and strategic dialogue on regional development and diplomacy.
Speaking at the signing, AIDIA’s Executive Director Mr. Sunil KC stated, “This partnership is a milestone for both institutions. It symbolizes our shared commitment to creating actionable policy ideas that benefit the region.”
The event was attended by diplomats, policy experts, academics, and business leaders, highlighting the increasing interest in cross-border economic engagement between Nepal and India.
As India positions itself as a major economic powerhouse in the coming decades, experts and stakeholders stress the importance of timely and strategic initiatives from Nepal to integrate itself more deeply into regional value chains and economic frameworks.
