Unwanted elements misusing open border says Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that some unwanted elements are misusing the open border between the two countries.

In the bilateral talks with Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Modi talked about the misuse of open borders and other security threats. 

 “We also discussed today the issue of open borders of India and Nepal being misused by unwanted elements,” Modi said in a joint press conference.

 “We also stressed maintaining close cooperation between our defense and security institutions. I am sure that our talks today will prove to be effective in setting ambitious goals for the future of India-Nepal relations,” said Modi.

Nepal, India agree to expedite Kathmandu- Raxaul railway

Nepal and India have agreed to expedite the construction of the Kathmandu-Raxaul railway, a key connectivity project between the two countries.

During the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, the construction of the railway was prominently figured out.

“The process of preparing Detailed Project Report(DPR) is underway, both prime ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in a press conference in New Delhi.

 “It will be a game-changer project in the area of connectivity between two countries,” said the Indian foreign secretary. In 2018, India and Nepal had exchanged an MoU to build a strategic railway line connecting Bihar’s Raxual city to Kathmandu.

Nepal and India need to develop a broad understanding of power cooperation, says PM Deuba

Prime Minister Sher Deuba has said that Nepal and India should develop a broad understanding in power export and cooperation between two countries.

In a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Deuba said: “In view of Nepal’s high potentials for hydroelectricity generation and export, it is important to have a broad understanding in power export cooperation between our two countries.” 

Deuba further added that cross-border power trade remained a priority agenda during his discussion with Modi. I welcome Prime Minister Modiji’s offer of purchasing electricity from Nepal, he said.

Nepal, India agree to finalize Pancheshwar DPR pronto

Nepal and India have agreed to finalize the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project at the earliest.

Two sides reached an agreement during the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

In the past few years, two sides are working to finalize DRP but some contentious issues still remain, including investment modality. Authorities say that without intervention from the political leadership, the chances of agreement on DPR remain slim. 

Nepal requests India to provide additional air entry routes

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has requested additional air entry routes to Nepal through Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, and Janakpur.

Deuba made such a request in the bilateral talks with his Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I also requested for the concurrence of near border flight operations to smoothly operationalize the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa,” Deuba told the media after meeting with Modi. 

For a long time, Nepal is requesting air routes but India has not agreed on it. 

Nepal, India issue joint vision statement on power cooperation

Nepal and India have jointly issued a vision statement to expedite the cooperation in the power sector. After the talks between Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders agreed on a joint statement.

Prime Minister Deuba appreciated India's recent cross-border electricity trade regulations that have enabled key partners like Nepal to access India's market and trade power with India.

 He also acknowledged with appreciation India's contribution to developing Nepal's power sector, through capacity building and direct support to infrastructure projects related to generation and transmission.

Here is a key highlight of the agreement: 

  • That there are unprecedented opportunities for expanding and further strengthening mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in the power sector including (a) joint development of power generation projects in Nepal, (b) development of cross-border transmission infrastructure, (c) bi-directional power trade with appropriate access to electricity markets in both countries based on mutual benefits, market demand and applicable domestic regulations of each country, (d) coordinated operation of the national grids and (e) institutional cooperation in sharing latest operational information, technology and know-how.
  • To expand such cooperation to include their partner countries under the BBIN framework subject to mutually agreed terms and conditions between all involved parties.
  • Based on their respective national policies and climate-change commitments, to make renewable energy production, hydropower in particular, a cornerstone of their energy partnership.
  • That Indian investment into Nepal's renewable power sector, in particular the Hydropower sector, has the potential to benefit both the countries by strengthening their economies generating employment, enhancing export earnings and contributing to further development of industrial and financial capacities, and mutually agreed to share of other benefits.
  • Nepal invited Indian companies to invest in the development, construction, and operation of viable renewable power projects, including in the Hydropower sector in Nepal, including storage-type projects, through mutually beneficial partnerships.
  • Recalling discussions during earlier high-level visits on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, including during the State Visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal to India in August 2017, and recognizing the immense benefits for the people of both countries from this project, the two Prime ministers directed their concerned officials to expedite the bilateral discussions towards early finalization of the project’s DPR.
  • Both Prime Ministers agreed to prioritize expeditious movement on projects and initiatives on the basis of this joint vision. They agreed to continue supporting each other's national growth and prosperity guided by mutual respect and equality.

PM Deuba invites Modi to visit Nepal

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit Nepal at his convenient time.

In the meeting with Modi, Deuba extended the invitation. “I have invited Prime Minister Modi-Ji for a visit to Nepal. We eagerly look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modiji to Nepal,” Deuba said while addressing the press after bilateral talks. In his first five-year tenure, Modi had visited India four times. 

Do not politicize border dispute, Modi tells Deuba

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has taken up a border dispute with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in a meeting held on Saturday.

Deuba raised the issue in the bilateral talks with Modi. “We discussed the boundary issue and I urged Modiji to resolve it through the establishment of a bilateral mechanism,” Deuba said.after the meeting with Modi.

In response, Modi urged Deuba not to politicize the border disputes that exist between the two countries.

Addressing a press meeting after the bilateral talks, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said the two sides had a brief discussion on the boundary issue. There are several mechanisms that involve both countries. We need to have dialogues in a responsible manner, he said. The Indian Foreign Secretary said that given close and friendly relations, India does not wish to politicize the issue.