Nepali PM Pushpa Kumar Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has urged Indian PM Narendra Modi to resolve border issues between the two countries through bilateral talks. In the bilateral delegation-level talks held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Modi said he aimed to take India-Nepal ties to new heights.
Prachanda is on a four-day visit to India from 31 May to 3 June — his first visit abroad after assuming office in December 2022.
🇮🇳🇳🇵| Scripting new chapters in bilateral partnership.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 1, 2023
PM @narendramodi & PM @cmprachanda of Nepal virtually participated in groundbreaking/inauguration ceremony of various projects, giving boost to cross-border connectivity and flow of people, goods & energy.
Know more about… pic.twitter.com/6aqXha6mDS
Overview
The Indian and Nepali PMs jointly inaugurated various projects aimed at boosting cross-border connectivity and the flow of people, goods, and energy.
Modi remarked, “We have established new rail links to increase physical connectivity. Long-term power trade agreement has been established between India and Nepal today. This will give strength to the power sector of our countries.”
The two PMs also jointly flagged off the inaugural run of an Indian railway cargo train from Bathnaha in India to Nepal Customs Yard.
India and Nepal signed seven agreements to boost cooperation in several areas including trade and energy.
“I remember, 9 years ago, in 2014, I made my first visit to Nepal. At that time, I had given a ‘hit’ formula for India-Nepal relations – Highways, I-ways, and Trans-ways. I had said that we will establish such contacts between India-Nepal that our borders do not become barriers between us. Today, Nepal PM and I have taken many important decisions to make our partnership a super hit in the future,” said Modi.
In a press briefing on the visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the discussions and outcomes between the PMs covered the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including political, economic, trade, energy, connectivity, infrastructure cooperation and development partnership.
Both leaders also decided to increase the quantum of export of power from Nepal to India to 10,000 MW within the next ten years and flagged off checkposts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal.
“The religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal are very old and strong. To further strengthen this beautiful link, Prime Minister Prachanda ji and I have decided that projects related to Ramayana Circuit should be expedited,” Modi stated.
VIDEO | PM Modi and his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ jointly flag off the Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha to Nepal Custom yard. pic.twitter.com/bQHCn8G5gM
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2023
Nepal’s Significance in India’s Neighbourhood-First Policy
Kwatra said that the talks between the two PMs characterised the traditional warmth and cordiality between the two countries. He highlighted that Nepal occupies a very special place under India’s neighbourhood policy, and open borders and civilisational ties make the relationship unique.
Prachanda remarked, “This is my fourth visit to India. The relationship between India and Nepal is age-old. Today we discussed steps to strengthen the ties between both nations. We also jointly launched many groundbreaking projects.” He also invited Modi for a visit to Nepal.
As a part of his engagements, Prachanda also met Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.