The Prime Ministers of India and Nepal, Narendra Modi and KP Sharma Oli respectively, meeting in New Delhi and three vital agreements getting inked is imbued with a lot of diplomatic importance. That it is Oli’s first state visit to India after re-election buttresses the view that three years strained relations are over. 2015 blockade which had plummeted the ties between the two countries and Madeshi agitations over the constitution row are tried to be forgotten to write new pages of friendship and cooperation between India and Nepal.
Equality, mutual trust and respect have become the basis of stepping up of mutual relationship to newer heights. It is well known that it has taken at least six months of intense efforts to patch up between the traditional two neighbors. Delegation level talks were followed by the meeting between two Prime Ministers and the Nepalese PM stressed that prosperity was a common goal for the two neighbors. Modi on the other hand, assured India’s support to Oli’s vision for Nepal’s development. Waterways and railways network improvement with Nepal and the pacts of April 7 would make Nepal “water linked and not just land linked”.
It was agreed to construct the new electrified rail line with India’s financial support and the two cities Raxaul in India to Kathmandu in Nepal. This would expand the connectivity enhancing people to people connectivity and hence the trade. It may be recalled that China drawing nearer to Nepal with an aim to relieve it from too much dependence on India is sought to be contained with inking three agreements between the two countries and reviewing the mutual relationship for better cooperation and mutual respect.
Hydropower, defense, energy banking, agriculture, development of new transmission lines,connectivity, securing borders, trade etc were the priorities in the talks between the two Prime Ministers.
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