Pulling out all the stops to woo Nepal amid its ongoing border stand-off with China, India Thursday called for close cooperation between defence and security agencies of the two nations so that their open borders are not misused and further intensification of people-to-people contacts through skill development and capacity building initiatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his vising Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba at the Hyderabad House here at which he promised all possible assistance to the Himalayan nation in every sphere. Deuba, on his part, assured Modi that his government would never allow the misuse of Nepal’s territory for activities against India and that Kathmandu was committed to amending the country’s Constitution which was acceptable to all regions and communities.
The two countries signed eight MoUs, including four relating to the utlisation of India’s post-earthquake assistance to Nepal in various sectors, and one on prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The two PMs also jointly launched two new power transmission lines, each of 132 KV, after delegation-level between the delegations. The two lines will add 100 MW to the 350 MW of power that India already supplies to Nepal.
Deuba’s visit to India, his first overseas trip after assuming office in June, comes at a time when India and China, Nepal’s two giant neighbours, are locked in a tense stand-off at Doklam. Kathmandu is seriously concerned over the stand-face-off since any deterioration in the situation between could have serious security implications for Nepal. It has, however, preferred to remain neutral, hoping India and China would bilaterally settle the issue.
Aware of New Delhi’s repeated complaint that Nepal’s territory was being misused for anti-India activities, Deuba, who had an unscheduled meeting with Modi shortly after his arrival here Wednesday, said his government would support and help India in dealing with forces inimical to New Delhi’s interests. He said the two countries could together do a lot for the betterment of their peoples.
At a joint press conference addressed by the two leaders, Modi hoped Nepal would implement its new Constitution keeping in mind the aspirations of all citizens. To this, the Nepalese PM admitted that there were still some issues pending with regarding to the Constitution. ‘’We want our Constitution to be adopted and amended so that it is acceptable to all… I hope in future we have two thirds majority (in Parliament) and amend the Constitution.’’
Referring to bilateral ties, Deuba said, ‘’our relations are based on the principles of sovereign equality, peaceful coexistence and respect for each other’s sensitivities.’’ He also appreciated PM Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, saying it would strengthen sub-regional cooperation in the SAARC.