KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood to discuss the agenda of the former’s visit to India.

While the premier’s trip to the southern neighbour is drawing close, authorities are busy finalising the issues to be taken up during the visit. Though Nepal’s first official visit to India is regarded as a goodwill visit, there are many issues of bilateral concern awaiting discussion.

Pancheshwor project, which is a part of the controversial Mahakali treaty, is likely to top the agenda. Both the sides are eager to carry out the project. Officials of the two countries are likely to agree on opening the project office in Kathmandu and prepare a detailed project report.

Energy minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said it was the right time to start work on the Pancheshwor project. “Nepal stands to benefit more from the project than India so we should not miss this opportunity,” he said. The PM is also in favour of beginning the project.

Power purchase is another important agenda of the visit. Officials are preparing to request India to provide additional 100 megawatt of electricity at a subsidised rate, on top of the existing 50MW. PM’s foreign affairs advisor Rajan Bhattarai said, “The additional import would be crucial in tiding over huge power deficit this winter.” This, however, does not seem to be an easy deal since there is a lack of cross-country high-voltage transmission lines.

The Nepali side will also discuss the potential food storage in Nepal and rising food prices. Nepal is likely to request India to export food items to make for the gap in the demand and supply of staple food back home. Food import will also be requested, Bhattarai added.

The two neighbours are likely to amend some of the clauses of Trade and Transit Treaty of 1996. Civil Aviation Agreement of 1998 will also be discussed to add to the number of existing flight seats. According to a highly placed source at Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the concern has been discussed for long and would be prioritised this time round.

The Nepali team will take up the border issue, which India is keen to address as well. The issue of Bhutanese refugees will also be discussed.

What’s on list

• Pancheshwor Project

• Power purchase

• Food import

• Review of Trade and Transit Treaty 1996

• Investment promotion and protection

• Issue of double taxation

• Curbing cross-border terrorism

• Border dispute

• Civil Aviation Agreement 1998

• Bhutanese refugee issue

• Controlling illegal trade

• Naumure project

• Special economic zones