PM Deuba concludes his India visit, says relations solidified

 Kathmandu, Apr. 3

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba returned to Kathmandu on Sunday evening after completing a 3-day official visit of India.

The visit has heightened the hopes that the relations between Nepal and India will be further solidified since the bilateral meetings and talks will enhance agreement, cooperation and collaborations in the days to come, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka said in a press note issued upon the arrival of Nepali delegation at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

He said that the issues like exchanging high level visits, expanding cooperation in health and education, giving priority to energy trade and cross border transmission lines, enhancing cross border connectivity including railway links, expediting the process to construct bridge, integrated check posts, inland container depots, and increasing the bilateral trades were discussed with Indian sides during the visit of PM Deuba.

Indian PM Narendra Modi said that he had taken positively the proposals for development and economic cooperation between the two countries put forth by Nepal.

PM Deuba had also raised the concerns about the border issues and proposed to form a joint mechanism to resolve the problem. However, there were no concrete response from the Indian sides.

PM Deuba and PM Modi discussed the additional air entry routes for Nepal to Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj and Janakpur from India. Likewise, PM Deuba urged his Indian counterpart for the consent for near border operation to run Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa.

The two countries signed MoU for Enhancing Technical Cooperation in Railway Sector; Framework Agreement of International Solar Alliance; Agreement between Nepal Oil Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation for Supply of  Fuel for 5 Years, and Agreement between NOC and IOC for Sharing Technical Expertise.

Similarly, four projects were launched during the visit via virtual programmes. They include, Janakpur-Jayanagar Cross Boarder Rail Link, 132 KVDC Solu Corridor Transmission Line Project, Construction of 132 health facilities and launch of Rupay Card issued by SBI bank in Nepal.

The two countries agreed to further strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the power sector including joint development of power generation projects in Nepal, and development of cross-border transmission infrastructure.

Issuing a India-Nepal Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation issued on Saturday following the bilateral talks between the prime ministers of the two countries, they agreed for bi-directional power trade with appropriate access to electricity markets in both countries based on mutual benefits, market demand and applicable domestic regulations of each country.

They agreed for the expansion of such cooperation to include their partner countries under the BBIN framework subject to mutually agreed terms and conditions between all involved parties.

 

Likewise, the two countries agreed to conclude the revised Transit Treaty which will facilitate the operationalisation of rail, cargo, transhipment, private operators, inland waterways and access to additional ports. They also discussed about early completion of DPR of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, which could be a milestone of Nepal-India cooperation in hydropower development.

Similarly, discussions were held about building of integrated check-post (ICP) and dry port in Chandani and Dodhara and agreed to early completion of the ongoing construction work of ICP Nepalgunj.

PM Deuba said that Nepal has given a high priority to relations with India and appreciated the latter's cooperation in infrastructure and human resource development.

In response, PM Modi said that the age-old relations between the two neighburs is developed through social, cultural and spiritual connections. He pledged continued support in Nepal's development and prosperity, said Dr. Khadka.

According to him, Indian Minister for External Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar and National Defence Advisor Ajit Doval called on PM Deuba. The PM also participated in the welcome programme organised by the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi and interacted with Nepali community there. He also addressed business leaders of India at a programme organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and called on Indian investors to come to Nepal to invest in various potential areas. He pledged his support in creating investment friendly environment here.

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 April 2022.