KATHMANDU: India and Nepal have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for eight High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) worth an estimated Rs 803 million, expanding India’s grant-backed development partnership with Nepal in health, education and agriculture.

The agreements were signed in Kathmandu by the Embassy of India, the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration of the Government of Nepal, and the respective project implementing agencies.

The eight projects will be implemented through local governments and other government institutions across five provinces, reflecting a continued focus on community-level infrastructure and essential public services.

The projects include the digitalisation of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan, Sunsari, and the construction of an agricultural production collection and sales centre in Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality-9, Bhojpur.

Other projects include a municipal agricultural and livestock centre in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality-6, Dhading; a new building for Belbari Multiple Campus in Belbari Municipality-3, Morang; and a 10-bed hospital in Dungeshwor Rural Municipality-5, Dailekh.

The remaining projects comprise an agriculture promotion centre in Sarkegad Rural Municipality-4, Humla; a cold store in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-4, Syangja; and a 15-bed hospital building in Barju Rural Municipality, Sunsari.

The latest agreements take the number of HICDPs undertaken by India in Nepal since 2003 to 605. Of these, 512 projects have been completed, while the remainder are at various stages of implementation.

The completed and ongoing projects cover a broad range of sectors, including health, education, agriculture, drinking water, connectivity, sanitation and public infrastructure.

The expansion of HICDPs comes as India continues to deepen its development engagement with Nepal through projects that are implemented at the local level. For Nepal, such investments can help address gaps in basic infrastructure and public services, particularly outside major urban centres.

India said the implementation of HICDPs reflects its continued support for Nepal’s development priorities and efforts to strengthen infrastructure in sectors considered critical to local growth and public welfare.

The two countries, as close neighbours, maintain extensive cooperation across multiple sectors, with development assistance forming one component of their broader bilateral relationship.