New Delhi, Nov 27(UNI) Saying that Nepal is a development partner and fundamental to its "Neighbourhood First” policy, India on Friday invited the Himalayan republic's companies to join the South Asia's largest market.

"India’s market is available to Nepal – to your companies, your start-ups, and your teeming talent pool...Together Nepal’s youth and India’s young people can explore the exciting age of technology and innovation.

India’s education institutions, research and skilling centres, and start-up ecosystem are primed to forge partnerships with Nepal, " Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said in an address to a Kathmandu-based think tank.

He said Nepal’s hydropower potential can be a major source of clean energy for the subcontinent, and an economic game changer for your country.

"Together we can find solutions to climate change and environmental concerns that trouble us."

On the second day of his visit to the Nepal capital, Shringla also assured the Nepali people and the country's leadership that India would provide the vaccine for the Covid-19 disease once it rolls out its own programme.

"I would like to assure the people of Nepal that, once a vaccine is rolled out, meeting Nepal’s requirements would be a priority for us.

Given our genetic profiles, what works for India is likely to work for Nepal as well. Together we will recover from the pandemic and together we will protect our people, " he said at the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines, India has at least five promising vaccine candidates at advanced stages of trials.

Shringla on Thursday met the Nepali leadership and held delegation-level talks with his counterpart.

He conveyed India's interest to deepen economic linkages, promote development partnership and greater connectivity and people-to-peple relation, especially among the young.

UNI SRJ JAL 1859