Nepal fundamental to India’s neighbourhood first approach: Shringla

Kathmandu, Nov. 27

Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Friday that Nepal-India relations were intricate and existed in various paradigms.

“The people-to-people linkages are so strong and so powerful that quite frankly we in government only complement these,” he said while addressing a lecture organised by Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) in the capital today.

The top diplomat who was in Nepal on a two-day trip, quoted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to say that the deep and mutual relations between the two countries were much above the two governments.

He stated that Nepal was fundamental to India’s ‘Neighbourhood first approach’ and said, “India’s development and modernisation are incomplete and intrinsically and symbiotically linked to the development and modernisation of the neighbouring countries such as Nepal.”

According to him, the relations between the two neighbours rest on four pillars - development cooperation, stronger connectivity, expanded infrastructure and economic projects, and easier and enhanced access to educational opportunities in India for the young people of Nepal.

Shringla said that India saw itself as Nepal’s foremost friend and a development partner.

“Developmental experiences that we share with you are developmental experiences that have proved successful and beneficial in our own country. Given our similarities in environmental conditions and socio-economic challenges, there is so much we can learn from each other,” he maintained.

Our countries are on the same page and share the same vision of prosperity and development, he said.

He emphasised on the importance of enhanced cross-border connectivity and infrastructure projects, saying that they unlock potential of millions and in millions.

The Indian Foreign Secretary also assured that once a vaccine is rolled out, meeting Nepal’s requirements would be a priority for India.

“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.

Later in the afternoon on Friday, Shringla inaugurated Tashop (Tare) Gompa Monastery in Manang district which was renovated with Indian assistance.

Likewise, he also inaugurated three school buildings in Gorkha district jointly with Secretary of the National Reconstruction Authority Ram Krishna Sapkota.

 The schools rebuilt with Indian support are Ratna Laxmi Secondary School, Mahalaxmi Secondary School and Tara Secondary School in Gorkha Municipality-8, 9 and 10.

“Nepal occupies a special place in our heart. A good education is the best investment for the future of our people,” Shringla said.

Shringla had arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal.

A Foreign Secretary level meeting on Thursday had discussed the boundary matters and exchanged views on completing the remaining boundary work.

The two secretaries had expressed satisfaction over the substantial progress made in different sectors of cooperation despite the constraints of the pandemic, said the Embassy of India in Kathmandu in a statement.

Shringla concluded his visit and returned to New Delhi Friday evening.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 November 2020.