Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart, Sher Bahadur Deuba, took a step towards strengthening bilateral trade and ties by unveiling a slew of development initiatives. From cross-border train connectivity to the creation of power trade corridors, India and Nepal attempted to improve their relationship, which is currently beset by difficulties ranging from border disputes to a growing Chinese presence in the Himalayan country. Apart from rail connectivity, the major takeaway from the Nepal PM’s visit to India was the launch of an India-Nepal Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation during the bilateral summit between Modi and Deuba.
“We also agreed on the subject of more participation by Indian companies in Nepal’s hydro power development plans. It is a matter of happiness that Nepal is exporting its surplus power to India. It will contribute well to the economic progress of Nepal,” said Modi.
The two prime ministers also jointly launched the operationalisation of a 35-km cross-border rail link from Jaynagar in Bihar to Kurtha in Nepal, which had also become an irritant in India-Nepal ties. The India-funded project, which involved conversion of the 34.9-km narrow gauge section into broad gauge, was handed over to Nepal in October this year. But the process of operationalising the railway was delayed due to security issues.
