This refers to the report, “Ramayan Circuit's direct bus service links Ram, Sita's cradles” (May 12). Though Prime Minister Modi visited Nepal twice after he took over in 2014, the latest was his first visit to the country after the Madhesi strife of 2015-16. The Prime Minister rightly emphasised on religious tourism because amidst all love-hate relationship, what ultimately stands and holds two countries together is the common thread of tradition, religion and tradition. Modi's temple visits in Nepal, with an emphasis on the Janakpur-Ayodhya circuit, the flagging of bus-service between the two sacred cities, and his liberal quote from the ancient scriptures, should provide a massive fillip to religious tourism and, thereby, bilateral trust. Plans and strategies have their own place in diplomacy.
But what finally fosters a bilateral friendship is a deep understanding in each other's customs and beliefs. Modi was at his best when he told Nepal that he was there as a pilgrim and not as a Prime Minister. By reiterating that Nepal was on top of India's ‘Neighbourhood First’ agenda, Modi successfully struck a chord with the common man over there. The ‘Ramayan circuit’ whch is to nurture 15 cities each of both countries is a great initiative. That said, the undertones emerging from the Modi visit cannot be missed. New Delhi hopes to derail Beijing's attempts to fan across Nepal by fast-forwarding some of its ambitious plans in Nepal like the Rs 6,000 crore, 900 MW hydroelectric power Arun 3 project and the Raxaul-Kathmandu rail link, which will connect the difficult terrain between Bihar and Nepal. Frequent bilateral high-level visits will help relations prosper and allay misunderstandings.