PM Modi, Nepal PM Ink Seven Agreements, From Railways To Power Sector

NEW DELHI: A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Hyderabad House in Delhi included the signing of seven agreements between the two nations on Thursday afternoon.

PM Modi recalled his first visit to Nepal in 2014, after he became PM for the first time. During that visit, to improve India-Nepal relations, Modi said he had then given a 'HIT formula' and that today's agreements would lead to that relationship becoming a 'super HIT'.

"I remember... nine years ago, in 2014, I made my first visit to Nepal. At that time I had given a 'hit' formula for India-Nepal relations - Highways, I-ways, and Trans-ways. I said we will establish such contacts that our borders do not become barriers. Today, the Nepal PM and I have taken many important decisions to make our partnership a super HIT," Modi said.

"We will continue to strive to take India-Nepal ties to Himalayan heights," PM Modi added.

The Nepal PM, on his first bilateral trip abroad since assuming office in December last year, said a 'cordial invitation' has been extended by him to Modi to visit his country.

“This is my fourth visit to India. The relationship between India and Nepal is age-old. Today we discussed over steps to strengthen the ties between both nations. We also jointly launched many ground-breaking projects," Dahal said.

Key agreements were signed by the two prime ministers, including new rail links to increase physical connectivity and a long-term deal which is expected to strengthen the two countries’ electricity-generating sectors.

The agreements signed were expected to take place during the Nepal PM's visit.

As Nepal exports over 450 MW of electricity to India, cooperation in the power sector was termed a 'key focus area' by sources familiar with the discussions.

Moreover, interest was evinced by Indian firms in developing hydropower projects in Nepal and several had participated in a summit in Nepal in April this year.

Several hydroelectric projects were also built by India, like Pokhara (1 MW), Trisuli (21 MW), Western Gandak (15 MW), and Devighat (14.1 MW) etc.

Further, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd and the Nepal Electricity Authority also signed agreements for the development and implementation of the 490.2 MW Arun-4 hydropower project, which is expected to generate electricity for Nepal and India as well as Bangladesh. SJVN has a 51 per cent share and the NEA has 49 per cent.

On the rail links front, integrated check posts at Rupaidiha in India and Nepalgunj in Nepal virtually inaugurated by Modi and Dahal, while a cargo train from Bihar to Nepal was also virtually flagged off. The opening of more air travel routes was also expected to be discussed by the Nepal PM.

Speaking on the Ramayana circuit, PM Modi said, "Religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal are old and strong. To further strengthen this, we have decided that projects related to the Ramayana Circuit - one of 15 tourism circuits identified for development - should be expedited.”

The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is the backbone of the special relations between the two countries.

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