Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s “goodwill” visit has helped rejuvenate the dimmed India-Nepal ties as New Delhi went all out to fulfil his wish list. India on Friday extended an additional support of $750 million through line of Credit (loC) for Nepal’s post earthquake reconstruction process to rebuild the damaged houses.
Besides, the 2014 loC of $1 billion was amended to enable reapportioning of unutilised funds for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal. India will also help the Himalayan country improve its Terai roads, speed up work on ongoing hydropower projects, set up power transmission lines, substations and make a polytechnic in Kaski.
However, as the two leaders engaged in “productive and warm” discussions Modi also conveyed that India expects Prachanda to play a proactive role in correcting the anomalies in its present Constitution to accommodate the aspirations of all sections of the Nepalese society and make it inclusive.
“You have been a catalytic force of peace in Nepal. I am confident that under your wise leadership, Nepal will successfully implement the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating the aspirations of all sections of your diverse society… As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability and economic prosperity (Shanti, Sthirta aur Samrudhi) of Nepal is our shared objective,” Modi said in his media statement in the presence of Prachanda.
Prachanda responded very positively to Modi’s suggestions and said his Government is making sincere efforts in taking every section of the society onboard while implementing the provisions of the Constitution. “I shared with Modiji that promulgation of the Constitution last year by the popularly elected Constituent Assembly was a historic achievement for people of Nepal. You are aware that my Government has made serious efforts to bring everyone on board as we enter the phase of implementation of the Constitution,” he said.
India-Nepal ties saw a dip last year after the adoption of Himalayan country’s new Constitution which according to some sections was biased and non-inclusive. There were tense moments between New Delhi and Kathmandu with former PM KP Sharma Oli Government accusing India of creating economic blockade as supplies were affected by ongoing Madhesi protests in Nepal.
However, Prachanda made it clear that he was on a ‘goodwill’ visit to New Delhi and his intention was to give a fresh impetus to the India-Nepal relationship. “Both side recognised we have a unique relationship and the open border between our countries creates bonding…We appreciate gesture by the Nepali Government to create goodwill,” Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said after the bilateral talks.
The bulk of the discussion between two Governments focused on development projects and a large part of the talks surrounded on reconstruction efforts in Nepal post earthquake which the Indian Government wanted to take off at the earliest. In this regard, Nepal made a specific request to increase the amount committed by India for rebuilding of 50,000 houses from `2 lakh to `3 lakh each.
India also promised to help Nepal’s economy back on track. During the talks there was a reference of 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between two sides to which Modi said India has an open mind on this. The two sides agreed to jointly show case the Buddhist heritage to attract global tourists and focus on the development of Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.