Pokhara, Dec. 18: Embassy of India, Kathmandu in association with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Pokhara Tourism Council jointly organized the 2nd India-Nepal Tourism Meet on 18 December 2025 in Pokhara. The event focused on promotion of tourism between Uttar Pradesh and Nepal with special reference to the Gandaki Province. The event also celebrated the International Year of Cooperatives.

The Chief Minister of Gandaki Province Surendra Raj Pandey graced the event as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he welcomed the growing tourism cooperation with India in the Gandaki Province, especially Pokhara and Muktinath.

In his remarks, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, highlighted the enhancement of connectivity that is adding further momentum to cross-border tourism. He emphasized the significance of joint efforts of both sides to fully leverage the India-Nepal tourism potential, including through promotion of religious and cultural circuits involving places in Nepal and the neighbouring states of India.

Dinesh Kumar, Joint Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism delivered a presentation on Uttar Pradesh Tourism circuits with special reference to the upcoming Magh Mela. He also shared best practices from Uttar Pradesh in tourism policy implementation.

Through his presentation, Mr. Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board provided an overview of Nepal Tourism. He noted that India was the biggest source of foreign tourists visiting Nepal and highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Nepal Tourism Board to foster India-Nepal tourism.

The B2B event at the Meet was attended by about 10 delegates from India and 60 delegates from Nepal. The discussions focused on promoting cross-border tourism especially through the land route. Tour operators from both sides deliberated on potential collaboration including in the context of Buddhist circuits, wildlife and adventure tourism.

As part of the programme, the Pokhara Tourism Council and the Nepal Tourism Board had organized a familiarization trip for the delegation from the state of Uttar Pradesh from 15-17 December 2025.