PM Dahal apprises Upper House of achievement of his recent India visit

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said his recent India visit was focused on economic development and prosperity. Giving a statement on matters of public importance in today's meeting of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Dahal mentioned that his India visit became successful to build mutual trust between the two countries and put economic development at the centre. The visit was especially focused on power trade, agriculture, dry port and transit, he shared, adding his meeting with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was significant. PM Dahal further said the discussion on the issue of the permission for additional air entry-route with India moved ahead in a significant and positive way during the visit. "An agreement has been reached for power trade with Bangladesh via Indian territory. Indian Prime Minister Modi has said India will import 10,000MW of electricity in the next 10 years. It has created environment to export power produced from different hydropower projects including Upper Tamakoshi," he said. The Prime Minister added that the market of electricity produced from hydropower projects has been guaranteed and it has paved the way for further investment in the country's energy sector, and also understanding has been reached to complete a detailed project report (DPR) of Pancheshwar Project within three months and to determine implementation model within a year. He shared that he and Indian Prime Minister Modi directed the concerned authorities to control flood and inundation in bordering areas. A discussion was held with the Indian side on issues like the construction of motorable and suspension bridges at Jhulaghat, Purnagiri and other places, PM Dahal mentioned. Citing that significant talks were held between the two sides for agricultural productivity and this remained as another achievement of the visit, the Prime Minister said a positive atmosphere has been built for establishing a chemical fertiliser factory in Nepal. He said matters relating to trade facilitation, reduction of trade deficit between the two countries and the removal of additional tax on jute imports were discussed during the meeting.  He briefed the House that Indian Prime Minister Modi in a joint press meet pledged to resolve Nepal-India border disputes. He said that there was a bilateral agreement during the visit to accelerate the under-construction trans-border railway project and to operate projects which are already completed. During the visit, Nepal and India observed the inauguration of the Integrated Customs Point in Nepalgunj which was established with economic and technical assistance from the government of India. Furthermore, the groundbreaking of the integrated customs point at Sunali and the agreement to extend the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline up to Lothar were the outcomes of the visit to the southern neighbour, according to Prime Minister Dahal. Likewise, the groundbreaking ceremony of New Butwal Gorakhpur 400kV transmission line took place during the visit. Additionally, the visit is marked by the signings and exchanges of other seven significant agreements. "The Trade and Transport Treaty incorporates some provisions that hold long-term importance," he said. An agreement has been made for transporting block cargo and an environment has been built for using various waterways of India, the PM viewed. Stating that a climate for construction of a dry port at Dodhara Chandani has been made, he said discussions have also been held on promoting industrialisation by facilitating the operation of the special economic zone to be constructed in the coming days. According to the Prime Minister, an understanding has also been reached during the India visit to take forward the construction of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electricity Project by forming a joint consortium with Indian company as well as for the construction of the 679MW Lower Arun Hydro Power Project. Similarly, he apprised the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of an agreement reached between the two countries on inter-country electronic payment system. Noting that the Indian industrialists and investors have been urged to invest in Nepal, PM Dahal said the interaction between Nepali and Indian industrialists and businesspersons was significant in itself. He wished Nepal could learn from the progress made by the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh of India in waste management. PM Dahal said during the visit he also invited his Indian counterpart Modi to visit Nepal. He reiterated that his four-day official visit to India has helped create a climate of confidence between the two countries and its results will be seen in the coming days. PM Dahal visited India from May 31 to June 3 at the invitation of Modi. READ ALSO:

• Murrah buffalo bulls from India to be used for crossbreeding: MoALD
• Government appeals to India's private sector to increase investment in Nepal
• Prime Minister Dahal terms his India visit as result-oriented
• Golchha Group, Indian Oil sign JV agreement to establish lube blending plant