New Delhi: India and Nepal on Thursday inked eight pacts, including on cooperation in countering drug trafficking.
The pacts were signed after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on strategic bilateral and regional issues.
“Had a positive meeting reviewing the gamut of our partnership,” Modi said at a joint press event with Deuba and assured him of India’s commitment towards overall growth and development of the Himalayan nation.
Deuba said Nepal would “never allow any anti-India activities from its soil”.
The two leaders also jointly inaugurated the Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross border power transmission lines.
Modi identified defence and security as an important aspect of bilateral ties.
The following MoUs were signed between India and Nepal:
1. MoU for Utilisation of India's Housing Grant Component to support reconstruction of 50,000 houses
2. MoU on implementation of reconstruction package in the education sector in Nepal
3. MoU on implementation of reconstruction package in the Cultural Heritage sector in Nepal
4. MoU on implementation of reconstruction package in the Health sector in Nepal
5. MoU on agreement on cooperation in the field of standardisation and conformity assessment
6. MoU for implementation arrangement on cost sharing, schedules and safeguard issues for construction of Mechi Bridge
7. MoU on Drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in Narcotic drugs, Psychotropic substances and precursor chemical and related matters
8. MoU between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal
Earlier, India and Nepal held delegation-level talks at New Delhi's Hyderabad House to further enhancing the ties between the two sides.
Ahead of delegation level talks, Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba held bilateral talks with his counterpart Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj respectively in the national capital.
Deuba asked Modi to "support Nepal more" for development plans and to build more trust and understanding to expand the relations between two nations.
He said Nepal has historical relations with India and his visit is to enhance the partnership for the overall development of Nepal and consolidate the relations between the two countries.
"India has played an important part in our development efforts and we request Prime Minister Modi to support us more for development plans and first to build trust and understanding to expand our relations," Deuba said even as he was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Thursday.
The Nepal Prime Minister also paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on Thursday. He was accompanied by his wife Arzu Rana Deuba.
Before that, he received a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the courts of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
In a special gesture, Modi received his Nepalese counterpart at his residence, in an unscheduled meeting Wednesday afternoon.
The Nepal Prime Minister, who is on a five-day visit to India, on Wednesday attended a programme in the Nepali Embassy where he addressed the Nepali community in India and business event organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Nepal Prime Minister Deuba landed in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.
He will also be inaugurating the electricity transmission line to Nepal from India.
