Kathmandu, May 11: Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his commitment to supporting in materialising the concept of land-linked
and water-linked Nepal.
"We have started some
revolutionary initiatives in the areas of agriculture, inland waterways and
railways. Waterways and railways will contribute in enhanced connectivity
between people and businesses of both the countries," said the visiting
Indian PM at a joint press meet held after bilateral one to one and
delegation-level meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday.
He pledged Indian
support in materialising Prime Minister Oli's vision to create land and water
linked Nepal.
During Prime Minister
Oli’s India visit last month, India had
agreed to construct a new electric railway line connecting the border city of
Raxaul in India with Kathmandu in the Indian financial support. The two PMs had
also agreed for bilateral cooperation in agriculture and developing new
connectivity between India and Nepal through inland waterways.
The Indian PM also
announced that he would install an India-developed Bhabhatron Radio Therapy
machine at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital.
PM Oli and his Indian counterpart also laid the foundation
stone the Arun – III Hydroelectricity
Project by pressing a switch at the Hotel Dwarika's. Following it, work was
started at the construction site of the project at Phaksinda confluence in
Sakhuwasabha district.
The 900-Megawatt project in Sankhuwasabha district is awarded
to Indian state-owned Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), which is construction it
at the cost of Rs. 104 billion,. But the company is yet to complete the
financial closure.
After completion of the project, Nepal will get 197 mw
electricity free of cost and the rest will be exported to India.
Modi said that the two countries had been also discussing on
Pancheshwor Multipurpose and other projects in hydropower, water resources and
energy.
PM Oli said that the two prime ministers had deliberated on
all the issues of bilateral interest.
"We discussed about exchanging the banned Indian
currency notes, development of inland waterways and additional air route. India
will soon send technical team for the feasibility study of waterways," he
said.
According to him, he raised the issue of trade deficit and
there was an agreement to send joint task force to resolve the issues of
flood-hit people in Nepal's Terai reigon.
Indian Prime Minister Modi
also paid a courtesy call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Vice-President
Nanda Bahadur Pun on Friday evening while former PMs Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa
Kamal Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhala Nath Khanal, Babu Ram Bhattarai and Lokendra
Bahadur Chand and former chairman of the Council of Ministers Khila Raj Regmi
called on Modi at Hotel Dwarika's.
Minister for Foreign
Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali had received him at the Tribhuvan International
Airport (TIA). A troop of the Nepal Army offered 'Guard of Honour' to the
visiting Indian PM at the Tundikhel. PM Oli was also present during the event.
He is the second head
of state to receive the 'Guard of Honour' at the Tundikhel after the Pakistani
PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Prior to that,
the honour was presented at the TIA. Abbasi had come to Kathmandu for a 2-day
visit to felicitate Nepali leadership on successful conclusion of its
democratic process and to congratulate Oli for his premiership.
The Indian PM will
reach Muktinath temple in Mustang district to offer prayers on Saturday. The
temple area is cleaned up and welcome gates have been constructed there in honour
of Modi.
After his return from
Muktinath, the Kathmandu Metropolis will extend civil felicitation to him. Indian
PM Modi will be called on by the political leaders on the second day.
Modi will also worship
at the Pashupatinath Temple, and leave for New Delhi on the same day.
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