Oli briefs parliament about Modi’s visit

Kathmandu / May 13: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday briefed the Parliament about the two-day state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Oli said the visit by his Indian counterpart had helped take Nepal-India relation to a new height. He said some of the remarks made during Modi’s civic reception in Janakpur was undignified in national and diplomatic terms. Without taking any names, Oli expressed his dissatisfaction for making remarks against national policy.

Oli said Indian PM Modi had agreed to implement the past pacts between two countries without further delay. He said the two PMs’ were also in accord to put a time frame to implement past pacts. The two prime ministers also explored methods to cut Nepal’s trade deficit with India while providing easy entry to Nepali products including ginger and cardamom, Oli said.

The Indian side was also positive about Nepal’s prod for four new air routes. Oli said India has agreed to mobilise technicians to study about Nepal’s prod for four new air routes and take a concrete decision by September.

Nepal’s Priorities

Oli said that his meeting with Modi dwelt to address Nepal’s concerns in the 2014 power trade agreement that provides 51% share to India, expedite and complete construction of Arun III within five years, Pancheshwor projects, Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line, and improve connectivity through the postal and NH-9 highway.

“As our electricity needs are alternative, we have proposed establishing electricity bank to adjust power supply demands of both countries,” Oli said.

Extreme Trade Deficit

Oli said that Nepal’s trade deficit with India was at its extreme. As a result, he shared that the two prime ministers had directed foreign ministries of both the countries to identify ways to speed up economic development by reevaluating existing treaties.

“We’ve asked the ministries to examine existing treaties and loopholes to come up with measures to reduce the trade deficit within three months,” Oli said adding that one of the ways to reduce deficit was by increasing flow and availability of Nepali products such as tea, cardamom and ginger in Indian markets.

“As we await recommendations from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we must resolve existing trade issues in agricultural products,” Oli said.

Additional Air Routes

Oli shared that he had directed concerned bodies to conduct feasibility study for four additional air entry routes through Bhairahawa and Biratnagar. At present, international flights enter Nepal through Birgunj only.

Additional air routes mean that Nepal would be able to generate revenue with longer flight durations in the country’s sky.

Friends with All

Oli consistently maintained that Nepal’s foreign policy rested in friendship based on mutual respect with its immediate neighbors and the world. “We will not rely with one. Instead, we will collaborate with both neighbors and the world to propel development based on our priorities,” he said.

Recalling strained relationships with India three years ago, Oli said that relations were healing and it was crucial to move forward. “There were protests against PM Modi but was it necessary? Why must we always live in the past? Why shouldn’t we move forward?” He shared that it was crucial to improve relationships by resolving issues that mislead or affect friendship.

Welconing Gesture

Oli welcomed Modi’s gestures during his third visit and highlighted his remarks respected Nepal’s sovereignty as it expressed commitment to support Nepal with its needs and priorities.

“We expect continuity of the warm gesture from Indian government as we push for collaborations to develop Nepal based mutual respect,” Oli said adding that the visit by Modi was fruitful for both the nations.