India, Nepal ink 8 pacts; for closer security and top developments

By Aashi Sehrawat

Nepal signed eight pacts with India, including cooperation in countering drug trafficking and gave an assurance that it won’t allow any activity against India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba held extensive talks and laid emphasis on closer cooperation between the two countries’ security and defence forces to prevent any misuse of their open border.

The visit assumed significance in the wake of a military stand-off between India and China near the Sikkim border. At the joint press interaction, Deuba said Nepal would "never allow any anti-India activities from its soil". He also hailed Modi's 'Neighbour First' policy and approach on 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Deuba said Nepal will never allow any activity from its territory against India.

Here are the top developments:

1.    Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said India conveyed to Nepal that the country should forge the “broadest possible consensus” and take every section of the people along in implementing its new Constitution.

2. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu laid stress on the need to have enhanced connectivity between India and Nepal, saying it would boost economic growth of the two countries.

3.    Nepal Prime Minister Deuba acknowledged there were “issues” in the implementation of the Constitution but expressed confidence that a Constitution “encompassing” the views of the people from all sections and ethnicities would be a reality.

4.   The two leaders jointly inaugurated the Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross border power transmission lines. Foreign secretary S Jaishankar described these projects as game changers. Modi said this would give an additional 100 MW of power to Nepal, apart from the existing 350 MW. The two sides, he added, had also agreed on development of the Ramayana and Buddhist tourism circuits through better connectivity. Modi is also believed to have assured Deuba that work on the hydel power projects promised by India — Arun III, Upper Karnali, and Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project will be accentuated. All these projects have missed several deadlines.

5.   Flood management and irrigation projects were a point of focus in the talks between the two countries. Modi stressed on greater coordination and consultation between the agencies of India and Nepal on flood management and said the two sides must work towards a long term solution, taking into consideration each others interests.

Modi also identified defense and security as an important aspect of bilateral ties. Deuba also agreed to use the housing grant component for the reconstruction of 50,000 houses as a part of the post-earthquake rebuilding effort. It has also agreed to implement the reconstruction pact in education, cultural and health sector following the devastating April 2015 earthquake.