India wants to see stable, peaceful Nepal: Modi

Reiterating that India’s concern was to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday conveyed to his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli that the success of the Himalayan nation’s new Constitution will depend on ‘consensus and dialogue.’

On his maiden foreign visit to India, the Nepalese Prime Minister Oli and Modi deliberated on all aspects of the bilateral relationship. Oli said that he had come to India to  “clear misunderstandings’’ that had crept in over the past few months and added that he was more or less successful in doing that. 

He said that many issues were still being debated, while some have been redressed some are still being redressed.

Ties between the two neighbours had strained in the wake of agitation by Madhesi community, residing in the Terai region, which shares close family and cultural bonds with people in India. The Madhesis were opposing the new Constitution of Nepal, accusing it of discrimination and unequal treatment.

“The announcement of the new Constitution in Nepal came after decades of struggle in Nepal. It is a major achievement. I appreciate the contribution of the political leadership and people of Nepal for it.”

“But its success depends on consensus and dialogue. I am confident on the basis of these principles and through political dialogue and by taking all sections together, you (Oli) will be able to resolve all issues relating to the Constitution satisfactorily and take Nepal forward towards the path of development and stability,” Modi said in his media statement, in presence of Oli. 

Modi assured that India would extend all possible help to ensure Nepal’s all-round economic development and recalled that India’s actions in the past have been constructive and in keeping with the priorities of the Nepalese government and people.  

As India and Nepal share an open border, Modi said that he would not allow terrorists and criminals to exploit it. He said that security agencies from the two sides would further strengthen their cooperation.  

With a view to help Nepal realize its tourist and wellness potential, Modi recalled age-old linkages of the Himalayan nation with Ayurveda system of traditional Indian medicine and offered to open an Ayurvedic college there.

Later, at a media briefing Foreign Secretary Dr. S Jaishankar said that the two sides signed nine MoUs to expand cooperation in a number of areas including in transport infrastructure, power sectors and art culture. 

India would give a grant of $250 million and another $750 million as line of credit for reconstruction work in Nepal where large areas were ravaged in a massive earthquake last April.