POKHARA: Senior energy officials from India and Nepal concluded two days of high-level talks on July 15, reaching several key agreements aimed at expanding electricity trade and upgrading shared power infrastructure.

The 13th session of the Joint Steering Committee, co-chaired by Indian Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and Nepali Energy Secretary Sarita Dawadi, officially endorsed plans to boost the capacity of the current Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV network.

Under the new technical framework, maximum power exports from Nepal will rise to 1,650 MW from the previous 1,100 MW limit, while import capacity into Nepal will expand to 1,400 MW from 1,000 MW, supported by an upcoming installation of high-capacity HTLS conductors.

The two delegations also cleared detailed blueprints for multiple upcoming transmission links.

The Chameliya-Jauljibi 220 kV double circuit line has been scheduled for completion by December 2028, while the Motihari-Nijgadh 400 kV line was approved to handle long-term power exports projected for the 2034–35 period.

To advance the construction of the Inaruwa-New Purnia and Dododhara-Bareilly 400 kV lines, the two countries agreed to accelerate the creation of a joint venture company between their state power corporations.

Additionally, the new Gorakhpur-New Butwal 400 kV line will temporarily operate at 220 kV as different components go online between August 2026 and December 2027 to immediately facilitate power transfers.

The discussions, which followed a working group meeting and a ministerial meeting with Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, also outlined future cooperation in solar energy, green hydrogen development, grid synchronization, and technical training for Nepali engineers.