Indian Embassy in Nepal celebrates 60th Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Day

Kathmandu: The Indian Embassy in Nepal marked the 60th anniversary of the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day in a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Friday. The event saw participation from distinguished Members of Parliament, senior officials, ITEC alumni, and graduates from Indian academic institutions. Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, attended as the Chief.

Kathmandu: The Indian Embassy in Nepal marked the 60th anniversary of the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day in a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Friday. The event saw participation from distinguished Members of Parliament, senior officials, ITEC alumni, and graduates from Indian academic institutions.

Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, attended as the Chief Guest and shared her personal experiences studying in India. She expressed appreciation to the Indian government for its various development and educational initiatives. “For generations of Nepalis, India has been a destination for education, research, and training,” Deuba remarked, highlighting the reciprocal learning that occurs between the two nations.

Deuba emphasized India’s emergence as a hub for global discussions, referencing her recent participations in the Raisina Dialogue and Indian Ocean Summit, which included representatives from 140 countries. “These forums provided substantial exposure for someone from Nepal to exchange ideas with individuals worldwide,” she added.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, underscored the significance of ITEC, stating it reflects India’s long-standing commitment to sharing its expertise in human resource development. Launched in 1964, ITEC has trained over 200,000 officials from more than 160 countries, offering nearly 10,000 fully-funded training opportunities across 400 courses annually at prestigious Indian institutions.

Ambassador Srivastava announced efforts to broaden ITEC’s scope by tailoring programs to meet the evolving needs of the Nepalese government. In the last two years, more than 1,000 Nepali professionals participated in various courses in India across different sectors, including law enforcement and infrastructure.

The celebration featured performances by the Indian cultural troupe Yagna and the Nepalese band Kanta Dab Dab, showcasing the vibrant cultural exchange between the two nations.

In the 2024-2025 period, 510 professionals from Nepal were set to undergo training in various disciplines at prominent Indian institutes, along with tailored courses for diverse professionals, reflecting Nepal’s active partnership in the ITEC initiative. Over the past 15 years, more than 3,000 Nepali officials have benefited from these training programs, aimed at enhancing human resource development and fostering regional socio-economic progress.