Hoping to “open a new chapter” in India-Nepal ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Nepal starting Sunday that will serve as a catalyst for regional partnership. The two countries are expected to sign agreements in sectors like power and India may also announce economic aid for that country.
Modi said on Saturday that he was looking forward to working with the Nepalese leadership to forge a “new relationship” by identifying steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydropower, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports.
Scheduled to hold talks with his counterpart Sushil Koirala and address business leaders, the Prime Minister said in his pre-departure statement he will be discussing how to harness the full potential of the new digital age to empower and create new opportunities for the youth of the two countries.“I am excited about my visit and pleased that I am able to go there within weeks of assuming office as Prime Minister,” he said in a pre-departure statement on the eve of the first bilateral trip by an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal in 17 years.
“I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India -Nepal relations,characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation across the full spectrum of our extraordinarily broad-based relations, which will serve as a model and catalyst for South Asian partnership for prosperity,” Modi said.
Describing Nepal as a close friend and neighbour, he said “we have had the privilege of being a leading partner in Nepal’s socio-economic development. We are committed to continuing our support to Nepal in its development efforts.” The PM said his visit reflects the shared heritage of nature,history, culture, spiritualism and religion. “It highlights the high priority that my Government attaches to our relations with Nepal and our determination to take our relationship to an entirely new level,” he said.
During the visit, Modi said, he will have the opportunity to hold discussions with the Nepalese leadership on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. He said he looked forward to working with the leadership of Nepal “to forge a new relationship for the new century between our two rapidly transforming countries.”