India Inc tests Nepal

India accounts for 45% of total foreign investment in Nepal. But Indian ventures are facing a tough time in the Himalayan nation due to political instability and unfair treatment.

Updated on: Nov 30, 2010, 24:56:30 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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India accounts for 45% of total foreign investment in Nepal. But Indian ventures are facing a tough time in the Himalayan nation due to political instability and unfair treatment. In a bid to address these concerns and increase investment, a team of Indian business leaders are in Nepal these days to confabulate with the government and industry bodies.

The delegation met ministers for commerce, industry and information technology and urged them to address issues that are acting as impediments to more investment from India.

"Nepal's government needs to intervene and stop the smear campaign against Indian products and services," said Sushanta Sen of the Confederation of Indian Industry. Non-signing of bilateral investment protection agreements and the revised provisions of double taxation, both approved by India, was one of the main issues that featured during deliberations.

"Nepal's trade deficit with India is growing and one way to bridge the gap is through investments. This visit was a step in that direction," said Harsh Jain of the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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