Narendra Modi Concludes Highly Successful Visit To Nepal

TIR:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having concluded a successful two-day bilateral visit to Nepal, returned to India Monday evening. The special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying Modi and his delegation landed in New Delhi at 7:00 p.m. today. Narendra Modi’s visit to the Himalayan nation is being hailed as highly successful.

One of the noteworthy agenda that was discussed between the two nations was the Indo-Nepal friendship treaty of 1950. Modi and his counterpart Sushil Koirala agreed to “review, adjust and update” the treaty. the two nations also committed to working together in order to find a permanent solution to the issues concerning the boundary. The leaders said it was critical to come up with mutually amenable way to ensure that the border-lines are not misused by persons with ill-intent, in turn creating threat to security of either nation.

On Sunday, Modi held talks with Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, where the two leaders explored avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in important 

sectors like agriculture, trade and investment as well as hydropower. The meeting was seen as rather productive since the two countries signed three agreements. While the first deal involves grant worth Rs 4.4 Crores for Nepal to supply Iodised salt, the second agreement covered amendment of Articles 17 and 18 of the Pancheswor Multiple Project. The third agreement details cooperation between Nepal Television and India’s state-owned television station Doordarshan.

Later in the day, Modi addressed the Nepal Parliament, where his 45-minute long speech 

received massive applause. Modi mainly talked about strengthening bilateral trade relations between the two countries. He reiterated the message of goodwill and love and said that he hoped to open a new chapter and bridge the differences between the two countries. Importantly, Narendra Modi announced concessional US $1 billion Line Of Credit to Nepal.

On the last day of his stay in Nepal, Modi offered prayers at Nepal’s centuries-old 

Pashupatinath Temple. A devout Hindu, Modi was seen praying to Lord Shiva in saffron dress and rudraksha malas. The 63-year-old Modi said that he felt blessed at the temple. He donated 2500 kgs of sandalwood to the 5th century temple, which is located on the banks of the Bagmati River in village Deopatan, about three km northwest of Kathmandu.