India and Nepal signed seven agreements and initiated six projects
India and Nepal signed seven agreements and initiated six projects, including cross-border petroleum pipelines, during a productive meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.
The objective of the talks was to elevate the bilateral partnership from a “hit” to a “superhit” level.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted about the progress in India-Nepal relations over the past few years and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation, with a focus on key sectors such as commerce, energy, culture, and infrastructure.
Reflecting on their delegation level talks, Prime Minister Modi expressed his commitment to elevate the bilateral ties to new heights, with the intention to address all outstanding issues, including border concerns.
Recalling his first visit to Nepal nine years ago, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to build strong ties between the two nations, where borders should not act as barriers. He referred to the “hit” formula he proposed back then, which included highways, e-ways, and transways to enhance bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Modi and PM Prachanda have taken significant steps to transform their partnership into a superhit, including the conclusion of a transit agreement, opening new railway routes, and facilitating inland waterways benefits.
Prime Minister Modi proposed expediting the development of the Ramayan circuit, considering the deep religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal. PM Dahal expressed his commitment to resolving border disputes through established diplomatic mechanisms.
PM Prachanda extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Nepal, acknowledging India’s role as Nepal’s closest neighbor and largest trading partner.
PM Dahal announced an upcoming tripartite agreement for electricity export to Bangladesh, while PM Modi confirmed India’s plan to purchase 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal within the next decade.
The two nations reached an agreement for the construction of two vital petroleum pipelines: one from Siliguri in India to Jhapa, Nepal, and another from Amalekhgunj in Bara to Lothar of Chitwan, Nepal. Additionally, a storage facility will be built in Jhapa.
India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam will construct the Lower Arun Hydropower Project in Nepal, as agreed upon in a bilateral agreement signed during the visit. The company is also involved in the construction of the Arun-III Hydropower Project.
PM Dahal paid visits to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and President Droupadi Murmu, with both leaders expressing confidence that the visit would strengthen the bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal, which has been growing significantly in recent years due to their strong bond and shared cultural heritage.