Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to India, said on Saturday that his visit “is aimed at clearing the misunderstandings that were seen in the past few months between the two countries”.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is on an official visit to India, said on Saturday that his visit “is aimed at clearing the misunderstandings that were seen in the past few months between the two countries”.
PM Oli, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday, called on his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House on Saturday, in a first meeting between the two leaders since Oli assumed office in October last year.
During the meeting, the two prime ministers pledged to mend the ties that had been strained by a four-month long standoff between the two countries over the contents of the new constitution. The two prime ministers also signed seven agreements.
During the 30-minute long meeting of the two prime ministers, there were tell-tale signs of rapprochement.
“The main reason for my visit is to clear the misunderstandings between India and Nepal that surfaced in the last few months,” said PM Oli at a joint press conference.
India in September had expressed reservations about some of the provisions of the new constitution against which some sections of society, including the Madhesis, were also protesting. Most importantly, New Delhi’s curt response that India had “noted” the promulgation of the constitution in Nepal had irked political leadership in Kathmandu no end.
But on Saturday, Indian PM Modi, while addressing the joint press conference, called the constitution “an important achievement.”
“The entire world acknowledges Nepal’s commendable progress on the path of democracy and federalism in the last few years,” Modi said. “After decades of struggle, the framing and promulgation of Nepal’s constitution is an important achievement.”
Modi, however, left a word of caution for Nepali leaders, saying: “But its [constitution’s] success depends on consensus and dialogue. I am confident that you will take Nepal on the path of peace and stability by resolving all constitutional issues on the basis of these principles, through political dialogue and by taking along all sections of Nepal.”
Later, while addressing a press briefing, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that the two prime ministers discussed issues of mutual concern, including issues of Indian interest. “PM Modi has expressed confidence that the remaining constitutional issues will be addressed within a timeframe,” he said.
The main reason for my visit is to clear the misunderstandings between India and Nepal that surfaced in the last few months- KP sharma Oli, Prime Minister, Nepal
After decades of struggle, the framing and promulgation of Nepal’s constitution is an important achievement- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India
Agreements signed
MoU on utilisation of $250 million grant component of government of India’s assistance package for post-earthquake reconstruction
MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in the Tarai
MoU between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Akademi
Letters of Exchange on Transit routes
– Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbhitta-Banglabandh corridor
– Operationalisation of Vishakhapatnam Port
Letters of Exchange of rail transport
– Rail transport to/from Vishakhapatnam
– Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s trade with and through Bangladesh
Inauguration of Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur line (Indian supply of 80MW, to be augmented to 200MW by Oct ’16 and 600MW by Dec ’17
28.12°C Kathmandu
