Nepal and India have signed an agreement between the Digital India Bhasini Division of India and Kathmandu University of Nepal with the aim of collaborating in the development of linguistic AI, multilingual digital public infrastructure and inclusive digital systems. Bhasini CEO Amitabh Nag and Kathmandu University Co-Dean Prof. Balkrishna Bal signed the agreement at a program organized in New Delhi on Saturday evening.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal were also present on the occasion. The collaboration will promote language-related AI and multilingual digital systems, the statement said. 'Under this, the two entities will collaborate in the development of high-quality datasets of Nepali language and technologies such as speech-to-text and machine translation,' said a statement from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India.

It is also expected to help in the preservation and digitization of lesser-used and endangered languages ​​in Nepal. The statement said that this initiative will play a major role in removing language and literacy barriers in digital medium. This will make it easier for Nepali citizens to access government services and education in their own mother tongue. It is believed that this agreement will further strengthen people-to-people ties and technology cooperation between the two countries. At the event, India Bhasini Division Chief Nag pointed out this partnership as an important initiative of India's commitment to building inclusive language technology. 'Bhasini's open digital public infrastructure model has the potential to bring about a radical change in digital access for millions of citizens in South Asia,' he said, 'This partnership will help expand its vision beyond India and strengthen our shared linguistic and cultural heritage.'