Request Made to Indian Authorities for Regular International Flights from Gautam Buddha Airport

May 4 (Jestha 21), Butwal – Representatives from both Nepal and India’s government and private sectors have emphasized strengthening economic, trade, and investment collaboration to build a foundation for shared prosperity.

The full operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, industrial development in cross-border areas, and active participation of India’s private sector in promoting Lumbini as an international tourism destination were underscored.

At the ‘India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forum 2026’ held Thursday in Gorakhpur, India, speakers stressed elevating bilateral cooperation by prioritizing agriculture, tourism, energy, banking, infrastructure, industrial investment, and cross-border trade.

Nepalese private sector representatives highlighted the need for collaboration with Indian airlines and private companies to develop Gautam Buddha International Airport as a hub for regular international flights.

It is believed that fully operating this airport will significantly contribute to the promotion of tourism, trade, and investment in Lumbini region.

Discussions also emphasized the necessity of policy and business collaboration to attract Indian industries to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) located in Bhairahawa. Participants encouraged joint investment and production expansion by leveraging industrial opportunities in the cross-border area.

Speakers stressed the important role Indian tourism entrepreneurs and private sector must play in establishing Lumbini as an international center for religious and cultural tourism. A joint campaign was proposed to promote Lumbini—the birthplace of Buddha—as a prime destination for both Indian Buddhist and international tourists.

Taranath Adhikari, Deputy Secretary of the Nepal Embassy in India, emphasized the need to deepen economic ties between Nepal and India by expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, investment, and infrastructure development. He noted that partnerships between the private sectors of both countries could serve as a critical foundation for economic prosperity.

Ravindra Jung Thapa, Economic Advisor at the Nepal Embassy in India, mentioned Nepal’s vast potential in investment, industry, tourism, and trade, expressing confidence that active private sector participation would strengthen bilateral economic relations.

Krishna Prasad Sharma, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), emphasized prioritizing trade facilitation, creating an investment-friendly environment, and economic development of cross-border regions. He highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in making Nepal-India economic relations more practical and result-oriented.

Kamlesh Jain, Secretary, Vice President, and Chair of the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Forum, provided insights on possibilities for Nepal-India economic collaboration, commercial ties, and the private sector’s role, urging both countries to make partnerships more effective.

Indian industrialist Anukul Bhatnagar called for linking the historic relationship between Nepal and India with economic development, stating both countries could benefit mutually through expanding cooperation in trade, industry, investment, and finance.

Tank Pokhrel, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Lumbini Province, stressed enhancing private sector collaboration to boost trade, tourism, and industry in the cross-border area.

Thakur Kumar Shrestha, President of FNCCI, Lumbini Province, highlighted the need to further expand economic development, tourism, and industrial cooperation in the cross-border region.

The program included roundtable discussions, interactions, and experience-sharing among industrialists, businessmen, banking sector representatives, and officials and experts from chambers of commerce and industry from Nepal and India. Participants concluded that the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, promotion of Lumbini tourism, expanded investment in SEZ, simplification of trade procedures, infrastructure development, and increased private sector collaboration are vital to making bilateral economic relations more effective.