Sir — This refers to the article, “Time for India, Nepal to recalibrate ties” (April 11) by Ashok K Mehta. Relations between India and Nepal have traditionally been cordial with both countries leveraging bilateral cooperation and exchanges in several strategic areas. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, set a detailed framework for a privileged bilateral partnership and hoped for the India-Nepal friendship “to live long”. Despite India’s immediate assistance in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in April 2015, its support to the Madhesi community during Nepal’s constitutional crisis and the five-month-long blockade of truck trade that followed, India’s relationship with Nepal remains severely strained.
Constant reiteration of trade and cooperation being the ‘foundational pillars of Nepal-India partnership’ has helped calm anti-India rhetoric and pro-China sentiments in Nepal. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to India has provided a broader underpinning to the bilateral partnership and signaled a recalibration of relations.
The renewed commitment to the promotion of development projects that meet ‘Nepal’s priorities’, agreement to build an electrified rail link between Raxaul and Kathmandu, providing inland waterway connectivity to transport cargo, and mutual cooperation on agriculture is welcome.