Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, issued joint press statements about the bilateral talks they held today. Both emphasised the need for strong Indo-Nepal relations, and the historically strong ties the two countries have shared.
Prime Minister Modi added that as India and Nepal are immediate neighbours and close, friendly nations, the peace, stability and economic prosperity of Nepal is a shared objective between the two countries.
He said that India is ready to strengthen the development partnership with Nepal and will do this in line with the priorities of the people and government of the country.
This statement comes against the backdrop of Prachanda’s assurances to his country that his engagement with India would be in the nation’s interest. The Nepalese people have long felt that India interferes in the domestic affairs of the country and that any developmental ties have ulterior motives for India.
Modi said that both prime ministers agreed to push for the fast and successful implementation of ongoing hydropower projects and the development and operationalisation of transmission lines. India’s slow movement on joint projects has been a major cause of concern in the bilateral relationship. On this note, Modi said that the two leaders agreed on the close monitoring and time-bound completion of all development projects.
On the topic of security, PM Modi added that continued cooperation between India and Nepal’s defence agencies is important to guard the shared open border.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Prachanda is in New Delhi on his first official trip after taking office. He arrived in India at midnight on Thursday. His visit is an attempt to rebuild ties that had deteriorated under his predecessor KP Oli. It also comes in light of India’s stand on Nepal’s new republican constitution and the protests mounted by the southern plains people against it. Nepal’s government insists that the five-month long border blockade mounted by the southern plains people had India’s backing.
In this backdrop, PM Prachanda is looking to rebuild the traditionally strong Indo-Nepal relationship.
Nepal PM Prachanda received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, where he was greeted by PM Narendra Modi.
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