KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived home on Saturday concluding his four-day official visit to India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
At a press meet at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival, PM Dahal shared about the achievements of his India visit stating that his meetings with Indian President, Vice President and Prime Minister focused on further deepening the old age and close ties between Nepal and India.
Prime Minister Dahal said that his visit was result-oriented and a guideline for the future and different from that of the past.
"This visit has further contributed to deepening the multi-dimensional relations between Nepal and India on the basis of equality and mutual benefits," according to PM Dahal.
He added that his visit has created an environment for trust after the free and open talks with his Indian counterpart Modi and a good basis has been prepared to resolve the outstanding issues.
PM Dahal said that discussions were held and ideas were exchanged to strengthen our cooperative relations in diverse sectors further.
Prime Minister added that he and his Indian counterpart remotely inaugurated Kurtha-Bijalpura section of the railway line; flagging off the inaugural run of Indian cargo train to Nepal on the newly built Bathnaha-Biratnagar, Nepal Customs Yard railway; groundbreaking of integrated check post (ICP) at Bhairahawa (Nepal)-Sunauli (India); inauguration of ICP at Nepalgunj (Nepal)-Rupaidiha (India); groundbreaking of phase II of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline project and groundbreaking of 400kV Butwal-Gorakhpur Transmission Line.
[caption id="attachment_37500" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi hold a delegation-level bilateral meeting between Nepal and India, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo: RSS[/caption]
According to PM Dahal, two prime ministers reviewed the wide-ranging areas of bilateral relations and cooperation, including trade and transit; hydropower, power trade and transmission lines; cross-border railways, motorable bridges, petroleum pipelines and ICPs; irrigation, river training, inundation and flood control; agriculture; culture and civil aviation. It is said that they expressed commitment to sustain the momentum of engagement in diverse areas and further strengthen friendly relations based on equality, mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The two sides reviewed the progress of ongoing projects with a view to timely completion of them. The two prime ministers directed activating all bilateral mechanisms in order to expedite the works in their respective areas of competence and carry forward the bilateral cooperation.
[caption id="attachment_37490" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi attend a joint conference held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Dahal is on a four-day official visit to India. Photo: RSS[/caption]
Moreover, prime ministers of two neighbouring countries witnessed the exchange of Treaty of Transit between Nepal and India — memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of the ICP at Dodhara-Chandani, Kanchanpur district; MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Petroleum Infrastructure; MOU between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Nepal and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) of lndia; MOU for the development of Phukot-Kamali 480MW Hydroelectricity Project; Project Development Agreement (PDA) of Lower Arnn 669MW Hydro electricity Project and MOU between National Clearing House Limited Nepal (NCHL) and National Payment Company India Limited (NPCIL) for cross-border payments.
Likewise, a strong consensus has been forged to develop cooperation in the hydropower sector.
The two sides expressed satisfaction that the agreement on the long-term power trade completed during Dahal's visit will streamline the procedures for the power trade and make it more predictable.
Indian PM Modi has stated that India aims to increase 10,000MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal in the next 10 years, PM Dahal said at the press meet.
"Agreement on energy trade has been completed from all sides and the only thing left to do is to give a formal touch, which will take place soon," he added.
[caption id="attachment_37502" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
A delegation led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi pose for a photo after holding a bilateral meeting in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo: RSS[/caption]
PM Dahal informed mediapersons that he has urged Indian PM Modi for approval of additional 1,200MW of hydropower for export from Nepal to India including the 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project.
He said that the Indian side's response was positive towards operationalising the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) procedure for the smooth operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport and enhancing flight safety and efficiency. He further added that positive talks have been held for bilateral flights from Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa to New Delhi and other cities in India.
PM Dahal added that consensus has been forged that the officials of both governments would expedite the bilateral discussions towards early finalisation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project within three months and added that the implementation framework of the project will be finalised within a year after the approval of the DPR from both governments along with financial closure.
An agreement has been reached to construct the Tanakpur link canal in such a way that water will be released from Tanakpur barrage to the irrigation command area of Nepal through this canal in a phase-wise manner, based on the readiness of the facilities on the Nepali side.
A discussion was held on the problem of flood and inundation in the areas along Nepal-India border and the existing bilateral mechanisms were instructed for its early convening to take up necessary measures for effective prevention of the flood and inundation before the onset of monsoon, PM Dahal shared.
He said that Modi agreed to approve transmission line projects proposed under the 4th Lines of Credit (LOC-IV).
Dahal further shared that an agreement was reached for the extension of Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline up to Chitwan and construction of a new cross-border petroleum pipeline from Siliguri to Jhapa on grant assistance of India. The Indian side agreed to construct two motorable bridges over Mahakali River in Sirsa (Parshuram Dham – Purna Giri Mai) and Jhulaghat under grant assistance, he briefed.
The two PMs also discussed expediting the construction of projects under Ramayan Circuit, GP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, establishment of Nepal Institute of Technology in Sudurpaschim of Nepal, and to construct Cricket Stadium and Sports Village in Fapla, Dhangadhi under the grant assistance of India.
The two prime ministers agreed to promote cooperation in the field of agriculture, including research and development, capacity building, natural farming and the use of nano-fertilisers. PM Dahal thanked the Government of India for the gift of an improved breed of livestock and further requested for germplasm of major cash crops, particularly sugarcane and coffee.
During the talks, it was noted with satisfaction on the understanding reached in February last year on the supply of urea and DAP from India to Nepal. Strengthening this cooperation further, both leaders agreed to set up a fertiliser plant in Nepal with the participation of public and private sector entities from both countries to meet the fertiliser needs of farmers in Nepal and India and with adequate assurance of market. The two prime ministers directed the concerned authorities to explore the viability of such a plant.
The two prime ministers further emphasized promoting trade and investment between the two countries. Mentioning the issue of the large trade deficit faced by Nepal, PM Dahal urged for non-reciprocal access for Nepal’s agricultural and primary products to the Indian market. Dahal and Modi have directed for early convening of the Commerce Secretary-level mechanism to address the issues related to trade, including the review of the Treaty of Trade. They directed the concerned officials to work towards early finalisation of MOU on mutual recognition of certificates and accrediting of the testing labs.
Prime Minister Dahal said he has requested the Indian government for the lifting of countervailing duty on Nepali jute products.
Even boundary matters were discussed between Dahal and Modi. PM Dahal urged his Indian counterpart to resolve the boundary matters through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanisms. PM Dahal further said the Indian PM in a press meet had clearly expressed his feeling about resolving remaining issues including boundaries as per the spirit of reciprocity. PM Dahal said he was excited by the positive expression of the Indian prime minister on boundary-related issues after a long time.
Prime ministers of the two countries committed to sustaining the momentum of engagement in diverse areas and further strengthening friendly relations based on equality, mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
On Thursday evening, PM Dahal attended Nepal-India Business Summit jointly organised by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and addressed the gathering of prominent industrialists, investors and businesspersons. Addressing the Summit, PM Dahal stated that the abundance of natural resources, large pool of human capital, and a promising market in the neighbourhood together with sound policy and regulatory framework make Nepal ideally an attractive destination for investment.
He called for joining in value chains and taking advantage of the readily available economic opportunities in Nepal in mutually beneficial areas.
In the Summit, Minister for Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, Piyush Goyal, said Nepal and India have unmatched complementarities to prosper and grow economically and offer promising opportunities for investment and trade.
After wrapping up his bilateral talks and official programmes, PM Dahal had also visited Indore city of Madhya Pradesh and cultural city Ujjain of India.
PM Dahal shared he had extended a cordial invitation to the Indian Prime Minister for a visit to Nepal at an early date. Modi accepted the invitation with pleasure, PM Dahal said.
He further noted that the visit has contributed to further strengthening the multi-dimensional and close relations between Nepal and India based on mutual benefits and equality. The visit has enabled an environment of trust to advance open dialogue with PM Modi and address remaining issues, PM Dahal said.
PM Dahal shared that he had found this visit different than that of previous ones. The visit has been result-oriented which has also opened up avenues for the future, he noted.
By RSS
READ ALSO:
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi hold a delegation-level bilateral meeting between Nepal and India, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo: RSS[/caption]
According to PM Dahal, two prime ministers reviewed the wide-ranging areas of bilateral relations and cooperation, including trade and transit; hydropower, power trade and transmission lines; cross-border railways, motorable bridges, petroleum pipelines and ICPs; irrigation, river training, inundation and flood control; agriculture; culture and civil aviation. It is said that they expressed commitment to sustain the momentum of engagement in diverse areas and further strengthen friendly relations based on equality, mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The two sides reviewed the progress of ongoing projects with a view to timely completion of them. The two prime ministers directed activating all bilateral mechanisms in order to expedite the works in their respective areas of competence and carry forward the bilateral cooperation.
[caption id="attachment_37490" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi attend a joint conference held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Dahal is on a four-day official visit to India. Photo: RSS[/caption]
Moreover, prime ministers of two neighbouring countries witnessed the exchange of Treaty of Transit between Nepal and India — memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of the ICP at Dodhara-Chandani, Kanchanpur district; MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Petroleum Infrastructure; MOU between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Nepal and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) of lndia; MOU for the development of Phukot-Kamali 480MW Hydroelectricity Project; Project Development Agreement (PDA) of Lower Arnn 669MW Hydro electricity Project and MOU between National Clearing House Limited Nepal (NCHL) and National Payment Company India Limited (NPCIL) for cross-border payments.
Likewise, a strong consensus has been forged to develop cooperation in the hydropower sector.
The two sides expressed satisfaction that the agreement on the long-term power trade completed during Dahal's visit will streamline the procedures for the power trade and make it more predictable.
Indian PM Modi has stated that India aims to increase 10,000MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal in the next 10 years, PM Dahal said at the press meet.
"Agreement on energy trade has been completed from all sides and the only thing left to do is to give a formal touch, which will take place soon," he added.
[caption id="attachment_37502" align="alignnone" width="1000"] A delegation led by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi pose for a photo after holding a bilateral meeting in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Photo: RSS[/caption]
PM Dahal informed mediapersons that he has urged Indian PM Modi for approval of additional 1,200MW of hydropower for export from Nepal to India including the 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project.
He said that the Indian side's response was positive towards operationalising the Instrumental Landing System (ILS) procedure for the smooth operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport and enhancing flight safety and efficiency. He further added that positive talks have been held for bilateral flights from Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa to New Delhi and other cities in India.
PM Dahal added that consensus has been forged that the officials of both governments would expedite the bilateral discussions towards early finalisation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project within three months and added that the implementation framework of the project will be finalised within a year after the approval of the DPR from both governments along with financial closure.
An agreement has been reached to construct the Tanakpur link canal in such a way that water will be released from Tanakpur barrage to the irrigation command area of Nepal through this canal in a phase-wise manner, based on the readiness of the facilities on the Nepali side.
A discussion was held on the problem of flood and inundation in the areas along Nepal-India border and the existing bilateral mechanisms were instructed for its early convening to take up necessary measures for effective prevention of the flood and inundation before the onset of monsoon, PM Dahal shared.
He said that Modi agreed to approve transmission line projects proposed under the 4th Lines of Credit (LOC-IV).
Dahal further shared that an agreement was reached for the extension of Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline up to Chitwan and construction of a new cross-border petroleum pipeline from Siliguri to Jhapa on grant assistance of India. The Indian side agreed to construct two motorable bridges over Mahakali River in Sirsa (Parshuram Dham – Purna Giri Mai) and Jhulaghat under grant assistance, he briefed.
The two PMs also discussed expediting the construction of projects under Ramayan Circuit, GP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, establishment of Nepal Institute of Technology in Sudurpaschim of Nepal, and to construct Cricket Stadium and Sports Village in Fapla, Dhangadhi under the grant assistance of India.
The two prime ministers agreed to promote cooperation in the field of agriculture, including research and development, capacity building, natural farming and the use of nano-fertilisers. PM Dahal thanked the Government of India for the gift of an improved breed of livestock and further requested for germplasm of major cash crops, particularly sugarcane and coffee.
During the talks, it was noted with satisfaction on the understanding reached in February last year on the supply of urea and DAP from India to Nepal. Strengthening this cooperation further, both leaders agreed to set up a fertiliser plant in Nepal with the participation of public and private sector entities from both countries to meet the fertiliser needs of farmers in Nepal and India and with adequate assurance of market. The two prime ministers directed the concerned authorities to explore the viability of such a plant.
The two prime ministers further emphasized promoting trade and investment between the two countries. Mentioning the issue of the large trade deficit faced by Nepal, PM Dahal urged for non-reciprocal access for Nepal’s agricultural and primary products to the Indian market. Dahal and Modi have directed for early convening of the Commerce Secretary-level mechanism to address the issues related to trade, including the review of the Treaty of Trade. They directed the concerned officials to work towards early finalisation of MOU on mutual recognition of certificates and accrediting of the testing labs.
Prime Minister Dahal said he has requested the Indian government for the lifting of countervailing duty on Nepali jute products.
Even boundary matters were discussed between Dahal and Modi. PM Dahal urged his Indian counterpart to resolve the boundary matters through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanisms. PM Dahal further said the Indian PM in a press meet had clearly expressed his feeling about resolving remaining issues including boundaries as per the spirit of reciprocity. PM Dahal said he was excited by the positive expression of the Indian prime minister on boundary-related issues after a long time.
Prime ministers of the two countries committed to sustaining the momentum of engagement in diverse areas and further strengthening friendly relations based on equality, mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
On Thursday evening, PM Dahal attended Nepal-India Business Summit jointly organised by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and addressed the gathering of prominent industrialists, investors and businesspersons. Addressing the Summit, PM Dahal stated that the abundance of natural resources, large pool of human capital, and a promising market in the neighbourhood together with sound policy and regulatory framework make Nepal ideally an attractive destination for investment.
He called for joining in value chains and taking advantage of the readily available economic opportunities in Nepal in mutually beneficial areas.
In the Summit, Minister for Commerce and Industry of the Government of India, Piyush Goyal, said Nepal and India have unmatched complementarities to prosper and grow economically and offer promising opportunities for investment and trade.
After wrapping up his bilateral talks and official programmes, PM Dahal had also visited Indore city of Madhya Pradesh and cultural city Ujjain of India.
PM Dahal shared he had extended a cordial invitation to the Indian Prime Minister for a visit to Nepal at an early date. Modi accepted the invitation with pleasure, PM Dahal said.
He further noted that the visit has contributed to further strengthening the multi-dimensional and close relations between Nepal and India based on mutual benefits and equality. The visit has enabled an environment of trust to advance open dialogue with PM Modi and address remaining issues, PM Dahal said.
PM Dahal shared that he had found this visit different than that of previous ones. The visit has been result-oriented which has also opened up avenues for the future, he noted.
By RSS
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Published Date: June 4, 2023, 12:00 am
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