Nepal-India Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) Nepal Coordinator, Dr Bhesh Bahadur Thapa, handed over the key of the cabinet containing the EPG report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singha Durbar on Thursday.
Citing his deteriorating health condition, Dr Thapa handed over the key to both Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai and Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal at the ministry.
The EPG-NIR was formed in February 2016 to review past bilateral treaties, agreements, and understandings between Nepal and India. Its mandate was to provide comprehensive recommendations to modernize bilateral relations to suit the needs of the 21st century. The finalized report includes extensive studies and recommendations on the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty, water resources, transit facilities, border issues, and bilateral trade.
Although the report was mutually agreed upon and finalized in July 2018, it has remained in limbo for years as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently declined to officially receive it.
Dr Thapa’s wife shared the development on social media, confirming that the vital documents have now been formally placed back in the government's custody.
"The key of the cabinet containing the report and related documents, jointly signed and agreed upon by the representatives of both countries of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG-NIR), were handed over today by the Nepal Coordinator Dr Bhesh Bahadur Thapa to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai," she stated, adding, "Congratulations and best wishes to everyone involved. May it bring prosperity to both nations!"
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