Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that to further strengthen the religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal projects related to Ramayana Circuit should be expedited. Exchange of agreements took place between India and Nepal in the presence of PM Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.
"Transit agreements have been signed today. We have established new rail links to increase physical connectivity. Long term power trade agreement has been established between India and Nepal today. This will give strength to the power sector of our countries. The religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal are very old and strong. To further strengthen this, we have decided that projects related to Ramayana Circuit should be expedited," PM Modi said, as quoted by ANI.
In a joint press conference with his Nepal counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal, PM Modi recalled his first visit to Nepal and said that back then he gave a 'HIT' formula for India-Nepal ties and today the partnership between the two countries is actually hit. "I remember my first Nepal visit just after three months of assuming office (as PM) nine years ago. Back then I gave a 'HIT' formula for India-Nepal ties. I am happy to say this today that our partnership is actually hit," PM Modi said, as quoted by PTI.
PM Modi and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Thursday flagged off the Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha to Nepal Custom yard. Both Prime Ministers also unveiled the e-plan of the Kurtha-Bijalpura section of the Railway. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Nepalese counterpart at Hyderabad House in Delhi for bilateral talks. Both sides are keen to expand the overall ties and a number of agreements were firmed in the bilateral talks that were held today.
Nepal is an important country for New Delhi as the country shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The land-locked nation relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India, and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations between the two countries. On Friday morning, the Nepalese Prime Minister will travel to Indore and will leave for Kathmandu the next day.
It is Prachanda's first bilateral trip abroad after assuming the top office in December 2022. We are committed to strengthening ties between the two countries, the Nepalese Prime Minister said at the event at the embassy.