The Indo-Nepal International Trade Fair and Tourism Festival 2025, aimed at enhancing trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between India and Nepal, commenced on March 21, 2025.
The festival was jointly inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and is being co-hosted by the Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nepal) and the Uttarakhand Pradesh Government (India).
Showcasing Bilateral Entrepreneurship:
The week-long event features a total of 200 exhibition stalls, with 50 stalls showcasing Nepali entrepreneurs and 150 stalls representing Indian entrepreneurs.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties:
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the festival’s role in deepening Nepal-India relations, stating:
“This festival will further strengthen the cultural and emotional ties between our two nations.”
He also announced the extension of movement hours at the Banbasa border bridge from four hours to seven hours per day, with plans for further expansion in the near future.
Highlighting the significance of the trade fair, he expressed confidence that the event would:
- Strengthen economic relations between Nepal and India.
- Promote enterprise development in both countries.
- Enable business communities and citizens to benefit financially from improved trade infrastructure.
Perspectives from Key Stakeholders
- Rajendra Singh Rawal, Former Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, described the festival as a foundation for economic cooperation between the two nations.
- Pitambar Joshi, President of the Kanchanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the festival’s potential to boost trade and tourism, stating:
“Dehradun, with its large Nepali-speaking population, can become a key market for Nepalese agricultural products. Additionally, this event will play a vital role in attracting more Indian tourists to Nepal.”
The Indo-Nepal International Trade Fair and Tourism Festival 2025 is expected to foster stronger business collaborations and enhance tourism opportunities for both nations.