SILIGURI, June 16: Business leaders and policymakers from Nepal and India gathered in Siliguri on Saturday for a high-level bilateral dialogue to strengthen economic cooperation and advance shared prosperity in the region, according to a press release from the organizers.
The dialogue, held under the theme “Strengthening Nepal-India Economic Partnership for Shared Prosperity,” was jointly organized by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) North Bengal Zonal Council.
The event focused on practical and actionable policy measures to expand economic engagement between eastern Nepal and India’s West Bengal state, the press statement said.
Speaking at the event, Vice President of the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) Kunal Kayal highlighted the deep-rooted economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries, stressing the need for stronger institutional collaboration to unlock the full potential of bilateral trade and investment.
Chairman of the CII North Bengal Zonal Council, Satish Mitruka, suggested that such dialogues be held regularly in both Kathmandu and Siliguri to help convert long-standing potential into tangible economic outcomes.
CII hosting mega construction equipment expo from Nov 22
Similarly, Vice Chairman of the CII North Bengal Zonal Council Amal Mandal, Supratim (Raj) Basu of Rural Heritage Conservation Tourism, and Founder of Kins Hospital Sumit Sinhal underlined opportunities for cooperation in tourism, healthcare, and medical education.
Participants from the education sector, including Managing Director of IEC Group Nepal Shailaja Adhikari, Principal of IIAS School of Management Dr. K.V. Rajendran Nair, and Chairman of Glocal Pvt Ltd Ashish Thakur, shared perspectives on expanding academic collaboration between Nepal and West Bengal.
Senior Vice President of the Morang Merchant Association Anil Kumar Shah shared insights on promoting trade and tourism between eastern Nepal and West Bengal.
The session was moderated by Chair of the Real Estate and Logistics Panel under CII North Bengal Zonal Council, Laxmi Limbu Kaushal, who said the initiative marked the beginning of sustained engagement between AIDIA and CII North Bengal.
“This is just the beginning. Such platforms will bring business leaders together to share ideas and grow collectively,” she said, as quoted in the press release.
In his closing remarks, Member of Parliament Parash Mani Gelal outlined government efforts to promote trade and investment and urged Indian entrepreneurs to invest in Nepal, according to the press release. He said the current government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment and supporting private-sector-led growth.
Participants, as highlighted in the press release, underscored the growing importance of the Nepal–West Bengal economic corridor and called for increased investment in hydropower, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and special economic zones. Education, healthcare, and hospitality were also identified as priority sectors for deeper cooperation.
The strategic role of Siliguri as a regional gateway connecting Nepal, India’s northeastern states, Bhutan, and Bangladesh was also highlighted during the discussions, with participants emphasizing its potential to boost cross-border trade, investment, and tourism.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to translate discussions into concrete partnerships and investment opportunities that support sustainable economic growth and regional prosperity, the press release added.
According to AIDIA founder Sunil KC, the institute has been organizing international forums such as the Prishtina Dialogue, Nepal–India Think Tank Summit, and the Siliguri dialogue to promote economic diplomacy.
He noted that West Bengal has historically been one of the earliest and most consistent sources of Indian investment in Nepal, citing companies such as Surya Nepal, Asian Paints Nepal, Berger Paints Nepal, and Dabur Nepal, which entered the Nepali market in the 1990s and remain key players today.
He added that the recently established FDI project Obeetee Nepal, backed by a West Bengal-headquartered company, further reflects the state’s continued role in strengthening Nepal–India economic cooperation.
