Press Release issued by Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi on the State Visit of The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli to the Republic of India

The Rt. Hon’ble Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, and the Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, held a bilateral delegation level talk in New Delhi today. During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers held discussion on wide ranging areas of Nepal-India bilateral relations. This was preceded by one to one meeting between the two Prime Ministers. Both Prime Ministers emphasized on expeditious implementation of ongoing development projects under bilateral cooperation related to infrastructure and connectivity. They stressed on early finalization of joint DPR of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.

The two Prime Ministers also witnessed the exchange of the following documents:

S. No. MoU/Agreement
MoU on utilization of US$ 250 million grant component of Government of India’s assistance package for the post-earthquake reconstruction (Signed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal and Minister of External Affairs of India)
MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in the Terai area of Nepal (Signed by Secretary, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport of the Government of Nepal and Ambassador of India to Nepal)
MoU on cooperation between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Akademy, India (Signed by Ambassador of Nepal to India and Secretary, Sangeet Natak Academy, India)
Letters of Exchange on:

(i) Simplification of transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor (Commerce Secretaries of Nepal and India)

(ii) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port – Amendment on Treaty of Transit (Signed by Commerce Secretaries of Nepal and India)

(iii) Rail transit to/from Vishakhapatnam – Amendment in Rail Service Agreement (Signed by Commerce Secretary of Nepal and Advisor (Traffic & Transportation), Railway Board of India)

(iv) Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with and through Bangladesh(Signed by Commerce Secretary of Nepal and Advisor (Traffic & Transportation), Railway Board of India).

The two Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the first double circuit cross border Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line (400 kv) by pressing a remote button. Upon its completion, Nepal has started importing 80 MW of additional electricity power immediately and with upgradation of sub-station on the Nepalese side, more electricity can be imported.

The two Prime Ministers held a joint press briefing after the bilateral meeting. During the press briefing,both Prime Ministers highlighted the importance of the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries at the level of governments and people. Prime Minister Oli stated that the main purpose of his visit is to clear misunderstanding between the two countries and bring the bilateral relations back on track. Prime Minister Modi stated that promulgation of the constitution is an important achievement Nepal has made in its democratic process.

Earlier this morning, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister was accorded a Ceremonial Reception with guard of honour at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan where he was received by Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. Rt. Hon Prime Minister also laid wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and signed the visitor’s book stating that the philosophy and practice of non-violence Gandhiji pursued not only liberated India but also created the most powerful wave of decolonization around the world.

In the afternoon today, Her Excellency Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of India, His Excellency Shri Rajnath Singh, Minister of Home Affairs, Government of India and His Excellency Mr. Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance, Government of India paid call on to the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Later in the evening, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister paid a call on His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. During the meeting, the Rt. Hon’ble Prime Ministershared with the President about the developments in Nepal following the promulgation of the constitution and the Government of Nepal’s prioritization of economic agenda in the changed context. President Mukherjee appreciated the promulgation of constitution as an important step in consolidation of democracy in Nepal and assured of Government of India’s continued support to Nepal in its efforts for development and progress. The Prime Minister conveyed the invitation of Rt. Hon’ble President of Nepal to Hon’ble President of India to visit Nepal at the latter’s convenience. President Mukherjee accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Likewise, the Prime Minister also called on His Excellency Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India, at the latter’s residence. During the meeting, they discussed about matters of mutual bilateral and regional interest.

The Rt. Hon’ble Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, is on a 6-day State Visit to India from 19 to 24 February 2016. The Rt. Hon Prime Minister is accompanied by Mrs. Radhika Shakya, Spouse of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hon. Mr. Kamal Thapa, Hon. Finance Minister Mr. Bishnu Paudel, Hon. Home Minister Mr. Shakti Basnet, Members of Parliament, Dr. Som Lal Suvedi, Chief Secretary, Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi, Foreign Secretary,Secretaries of Ministries of Energy, Commerce, Physical Infrastructure and Transport and officials of the Government of Nepal.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 66th National Democracy Day of Nepal, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister attended the Reception hosted by the Nepalese Ambassador to India at the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi. Political leaders, diplomats, friends of Nepal, business community leaders and Nepalese community representatives were present at the Reception.

Embassy of Nepal

New Delhi, 20 February 2016