Shivraj Chouhan Offers Prayers at Pashupatinath Temple, Signs India-Nepal Agri Cooperation Pact

Kathmandu: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, currently on a three-day official visit to Nepal, visited the sacred Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu on Thursday, where he offered prayers along with his family and planted saplings of Rudraksh and Harsingar on the temple premises.

Sharing a video of his visit on X, Chouhan expressed spiritual fulfilment, saying, “I am fortunate to offer prayers at Pashupatinath Temple along with my family. The prayers bring new energy and inspiration to us.” He further added, “I got the opportunity to plant Rudraksh and Harsingar plants in the sacred courtyard of Lord Pashupatinath. This resolve to serve nature began on the banks of Narmada Maiyya four years ago and now flourishes in the lap of Pashupati Mahadev. May Mahadev bless us all.”

During his visit, Chouhan also paid a courtesy call on Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on April 9, reaffirming India’s commitment to the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders discussed strengthening historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties, while focusing on deepening agricultural cooperation.

As part of his official engagements, Chouhan participated in the 3rd BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture (3rd BAMM) hosted by Nepal on April 9. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) has become a key platform for regional cooperation, particularly in food security and sustainable agriculture.

At the 3rd BAMM, Chouhan and his Nepalese counterpart signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral collaboration in agriculture. The MoU outlines cooperation in various domains including agricultural science and technology, crop production, horticulture, organic farming, irrigation, climate-resilient agriculture, and post-harvest management.

In a statement, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said, “Chouhan conveyed greetings from Indian leadership and discussed ways to enhance India-Nepal cooperation in agriculture. Both sides reviewed progress in ongoing projects and explored future opportunities.”

The 3rd BAMM marks a major step forward in BIMSTEC’s regional agricultural agenda. The forum includes countries in the Bay of Bengal region and focuses on advancing connectivity, development, and food security. The previous ministerial meetings were held in Myanmar (2019) and India (2022).

Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s visit to Nepal from April 8 to 10 reflects New Delhi’s increasing emphasis on regional agricultural diplomacy, rooted in shared heritage and future-focused cooperation.