AMN / NEW DELHI
India today said security interests of India and Nepal are inter-linked and inter-dependent and cooperation in Defence and Security sectors is an important feature of their partnership.
In joint press statement after holding delegation level talks with visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on close cooperation between defence and security agencies of the two countries to prevent misuse of open borders.
Mr Modi said Prime Minister Deuba and he have agreed to further extend people to people relations through skill development and capacity building initiatives by better connectivity and developing Budhhist and Ramayana tourism circuits.
Mr Modi said, four of the eight MoUs which were signed today will take forward India’s promise of one billion dollar assistance for reconstruction work post earthquake in Nepal.
The Prime Minister said India and Nepal have agreed on several economic connectivity and development projects to carry forward the partnership for the development of the neighbouring country.
Mr Modi expressed confidence that Nepal under the able and experienced leadership of Mr Deuba will be able to successfully implement its Constitution accommodating aspirations of all its citizens.
Saying that India will extend all possible assistance to Nepal to deal with flood situation, Mr Modi said he and Mr Deuba have agreed to strengthen coordination and consultation for flood control and think of its long term solution keeping in view interest of the two countries.
On trade relations, Mr Modi said the two countries have agreed to further expand trade relations which is not only in the interest of the people of the countries but also essential for regional prosperity.
In his press statement, Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said, relations between India and Nepal are comprehensive binded by culture and civilisation.
Mr Deuba said, there are vast opportunities for India in Nepal regarding trade and water resources. He said, Nepal will resolve all the issues and adopt its Constitution at the earliest.
Earlier, the two countries, inked eight Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in various fields. The two leaders also jointly inaugurated the Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross border Transmission lines.
Mr Deuba arrived in the national capital yesterday on a five day state visit to India. A high-level delegation is accompanying the Nepalese Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Deuba was accorded ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.
Later speaking to media at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr Deuba said, a close neighbor India has helped Nepal in its development efforts and he will request Prime Minister Modi to support more.
He also visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
This is Mr Deuba’s first visit abroad after assuming the office of Prime Minister of Nepal in June this year.
Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, Mr Deuba will also visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya. In recent years Indo-Nepal relationship has witnessed significant growth as high level exchange between both the countries has gained momentum.