Bharat SainiLast Updated on May 12, 2018 by Bharat Saini
Nepal’s Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oliwason a State visit to India from April 6 to 8, 2018, at the invitation of India’s Prime Minister NarendraModi. The two Prime Ministers comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of multifaceted ties between the two countries,underlined the need for expeditious implementation of bilateral projects in Nepal, and to reinvigorate the existing bilateral mechanisms to promote cooperative agenda across diverse spheres. They witnessed the ground breaking ceremony of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline at Motihari, India; and inaugurated the Integrated Check Post at Birgunj in Nepalwith the hope that its early operationalisation will enhance cross-border trade and transit of goods and movement of people bringing greater opportunities for shared growth and development. Indian and Nepalsigned three “path breaking agreements” to boost connectivity between the two countries.
- Prime Minister Modi stated that Government of India’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ is a guiding framework for India’s engagement with its neighbours for a shared vision of inclusive development and prosperity.
- Prime Minister Oli stated that after the landmark political transformation, his Government has given priority to economic transformation with the motto ‘Samriddha Nepal Sukhi Nepali’.
- India would be funding construction of a railway track between Raxaul in Bihar and Kathmandu.
- India would also explore possibilities of inland water ways connecting Kursela in Bihar to Chatara in Nepal.
- India also agreed to develop Nepal’s agri-sectors.
Prime Minister of Nepal, called on the President of India, Ram NathKovind, at RashtrapatiBhavanon April 7, 2018.Welcoming him India’s President said, “We are bound together not only by a shared geography but by history, culture, civilisation and close people to people and familial ties.” “India abiding interest is in the stability and economic prosperity of Nepal. We wish to take forward our relationship on the basis of goodwill, mutual trust and mutual benefit.” “We believe that enhanced connectivity between our countries will boost our economic growth and benefit our citizens.”
Oli’s trip to India was keenly watched in both the national and regional arena due to Oli’santi-India rhetoric during his election campaign, his determination to expand cooperation with China to decrease dependency on India, and the strong expectation that he would try to resolve several pending contentious issues with India.
India and China are competing to increase their influence in Nepal and Nepal’s Prime MinisterOli is trying to balance policy with both neighbors through special emphasis on economic development and plans to bring massive investment from both India and China to fulfill his domestic promises of economic development and prosperity, as he said, “We will remain engaged in the vibrant economic drive of the neighborhood with a view to benefiting from it. We respect the legitimate interests of our neighbors and will not allow anything against them in our soil.”
