Rabi Lamichhane, Gagan Thapa to share stage at NDTV’s cross-border dialogue series

NDTV World is set to launch a global dialogue series, "NDTV Anviksha: Cross-Border Ideas," aimed at bringing together prominent figures from India and Nepal. The inaugural event is scheduled for August 27 in Kathmandu, Nepal, commencing at 9 a.m. at the Yak and Yeti hotel. This initiative seeks to foster discussion on a range of topics critical to Nepal's development and its regional standing. The series promises to feature a diverse array of participants, including key political figures such as Rabi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Gagan Thapa, president of the main opposition Congress party. Also slated to participate are Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, International Relations Committee chair Sumnima Udas, renowned actor Rajesh Hamal, and actress Manisha Koirala. The business and industry sector will be represented by Kamlesh Agrawal, president of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce; Birendra Raj Pandey, president of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries; and Gaurav Tayal, vice-president of the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry and managing director of Surya Nepal. From the sports arena, former Nepali cricketer and Cricket Association of Nepal general secretary Paras Khadka will share insights. The Indian contingent includes Dr. Ram Madhav, president of the India Foundation; Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, BJP national executive member; Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of BJP’s foreign affairs department; Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former Union minister and Congress leader; and Naveen Srivastava, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal. The discussions will delve into Nepal's evolving political landscape, economic trajectory, societal changes, and its crucial relationship with India, alongside Nepal's role in regional politics. Topics will also encompass Nepal's economic development strategies, business prospects, democratic reforms, and the aspirations of its youth. Furthermore, conversations are expected to cover advancements in technology, tourism initiatives, infrastructure development, environmental concerns, trade relations, and regional cooperation. NDTV emphasizes that "Anviksha" aims to go beyond conventional discussions on India-Nepal relations, striving to understand Nepal by centering its own voice, perspectives, ambitions, and plans. This Kathmandu event is the first in a broader plan for "Anviksha," which intends to extend to various countries and continents, exploring each nation's identity, ambitions, and the forces shaping its future. The series aims to raise significant questions about Nepal's position in a changing global order and the dreams of its society.