India is waiting for a green light from Nepal to open a long-proposed business consulate in Birganj. Indian ambassador Shyam Saran said Sunday that New Delhi was waiting for Kathmandu to decide.

Addressing a program organised by the Birganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry this week, Saran also said the ball was in Nepal's court for opening the Birganj dry port. He also told businessmen that a draft trade agreement would be signed soon. Earlier, Saran inaugurated a solar eletrification project in Krishnapur of Sarlahi district. This is the second phase of an Indian aided project to provide solar electricity for lighting that also includes electrification of villages in Dhading, Baglung and Parsa. Last year villages in Gulmi and Panchthar got solar-powered lights. Some 17,000 people are said to benefit from the projects which are managed by local users' groups.