NEW DELHI, Sept 16: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India wishes to see peace, stability and economic prosperity in Nepal.
Speaking at a press meet held following bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Hyderabad House today, Prime Minister Modi said he was looking forward to joining hands for new and rich relations for the economic development of Nepal.
He also said that he wished that the political parties in Nepal are able to address the voices to be represented in Nepal's constitution through the medium of dialogue. "I am confident that Nepal's leadership will hold necessary dialogue for the inclusion of all sides in the constitution," he said.
Prime Minister Modi also expressed happiness over choosing India as Prime Minister Dahal's first foreign visit of his second term in office. Shedding light on the open border between the two countries, common culture and inter-relations, and the government-to-government and people-to-people relations, the Indian Prime Minister expressed the confidence that India would be a partner in Nepal's development projects.
Sharing that agreement had been reached for a 150 million US dollar concessional loan for post-quake reconstruction and additional credit for expansion of roads in the Tarai of Nepal, he said India was ready to provide financial support and collaborate for all kinds of connectivity with Nepal. Collaboration shall also be held in Nepal's hydropower development, expansion of transmission line and production of ayurvedic medicines.
Prime Minister Modi also noted that agreement was reached for regular monitoring and time-bound implementation of all the development projects being built with Indian assistance in Nepal.
Let’s live in peace and embrace diversity
Full text of the Speech by Indian PM Narendra Modi at the joint press conference with Nepali PM
Your Excellency, PM Puspa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda ji, distinguished member s of the Nepali delegation, friends from media. In the history of our friendship, today is an extremely significant day. On his first visit abroad, after assuming his office, it is a great privilege to me to welcome his Excellency, Prachanda, and his delegations to India. Friends, both of our societies share deep rooted historical ties and civilizational linkages, shared rivers, the open border, time less people to people ties, bind our two nations closely.
Along with the relationship between our Governments, the link between our societies provides depth and character to our partnership. We share our burden during difficult times just as we celebrate each other’s achievements. In deed our friendship is time tested and unique.
As immediate neighbors and close friendly nations, peace, stability, and economic prosperity of Nepal is our shared objectives. At every step of Nepal’s development journey and economic progress, we have been privileged to be a part of it.
We also commend the role that you have personally played in strengthening the democratic institutions in Nepal. You have been a catalytic force of peace in Nepal. I’m confident that under your wise leadership, Nepal will successfully implement the constitution accommodating the aspirations of all sections of diverse society. I wish you success in this endeavor.
PM Prachanda and I covered the full spectrum of bilateral co-operation. I conveyed to PM Prachanda, that India is ready to and prepares to strengthen its development partnership with Nepal and we will do so as per the priorities of the people and government of Nepal.
In this context, we have today signed the agreement of line of credit of US $ 150 million for post-earthquake reconstructions of Nepal. I’m confident that it will bring relief to millions of people affected by last year’s devastating earthquake in Nepal.
India has also agreed to extend additional line of credits for new projects such as phase two of Tarai roads, power transmission lines, substations and poly technique in Kaski.
PM Prachanda and I recognize that securing our society is essential for achieving our shared objective of development and strong economic growth. We also agree that our security interest are close align and inter linked. Open borders between our two countries provide great opportunities for co-operation and interaction among our people but we must also continue to guard against elements that stick to misuse the borders. Continued close operation between our defense and security agencies is therefore, important for our growing trade, economic, cultural, development partnership and further wellbeing of our two peoples.
Trade, connectivity and all its dimensions, development projects and mutual investments are key pillars of our partnership with Nepal. India’s initiatives are open sky, cross border power trade, transit route, cross border connectivity, would directly benefit Nepal and Nepal strengthen our economic partnership. Nepal and India are also closely working on a range of areas of economic engagement including energy and water resources sector. PM Prachanda and I agreed to push for speedy and successful implementation of the ongoing hydropower projects and development and operationalization of transmission lines. They should be a source of much needed energy and revenue generation for Nepal.
We also agreed on the need to add depth and vitality to link between our societies. We have agreed to showcase our shared Buddhist heritage and focus on the development of Ayruved and other traditional systems of medicines.
PM and I have also agreed to focus on close monitoring and time bound completion of all development projects. PM Dahal and I are confident that our decisions today will provide strength to economic engagement and take it to new heights. Excellency, your visit has been most timely. I’m confident that our discussion today will further cement our centuries old relation and raise a new and glorious chapter of our partnership.
Once again excellency, a very warm welcome to you. I hope you will have a pleasant and fruitful stay in India. Thank you.
