Days: 02 (3rd and 4th August 2014)
People met: President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Chair of the Constituent Assembly, Nepal foreign minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and Leaders of Nepali bussiness community and political parties
Shri Narendra Modi offered prayers at Pashupatinath Temple on Monday, 4th August 2014.
Prime Minister made his 2nd bilateral visit in the region to Nepal
Reaffirmed commitment to develop cooperation and enhance bilateral ties
In yet another positive step towards improving bi-lateral relations with India's neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi embarked on a two day (3-4 August 2014) visit to Nepal. He was formally invited by the Government of Nepal in order to speed-up the negotiations and strengthen the relations. "This is the land of Sita and Janak, Nepal-India relations are as old as the Himalayas and the Ganga," Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said during his two day visit to Nepal.
Prior to his departure for Nepal
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed his feelings before his visit to the Himalayan Kingdom. He was glad that within weeks of assuming office as PM, he got the chance to visit the country. "My visit reflects our shared heritage of nature, history, culture, spiritualism and religion. It highlights the high priority that my Government attaches to our relations with Nepal and our determination to take our relationship to an entirely new level," he said before leaving for the visit. This is the first bi-lateral visit to Nepal by an Indian PM in last 17 years. On his plans for the visit, he said, "During my visit, I will have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the Nepalese leadership on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. I look forward to working with the leadership of Nepal to forge a new relationship for the new century between our two rapidly transforming countries." He further added, "We will identify steps to strengthen our bilateral cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, hydro power, agriculture and agro-processing, environment, tourism, education, culture and sports. I will also discuss with Nepali leadership and their business leaders how we can harness the full potential of the new digital age to empower and create new opportunities for the youth of the two countries".
Two day visit to Nepal
PM Shri Narendra Modi, accompanied by the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, is the first foreign leader to address the Nepalese constituent assembly-cum-parliament on Sunday, 3rdAugust 2014. Prime Minister of Nepal Shri Sushil Koirala, who graced his Indian counterpart’s swearing-in ceremony with his presence, received Shri Modi at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
Recalling his previous visits to the country as a pilgrim, he said in Nepali language before continuing his speech in Hindi, "I have returned to this beautiful country as a friend and I am happy to come here as Prime Minister". He undoubtedly created a wave of euphoria amongst the Nepalese people as he started his gripping address to the Parliament in Nepali language. Talking about the trip, he added, "Since the day I entered the Prime Minister's office, strengthening relationship with Nepal is one of the top priorities of my government".
Addressing the Nepalese Parliament
While addressing the Nepalese Parliament, Shri Modi announced Rs 10,000 crore as concessional line of credit to Nepal. The man who has all the formulae for development, also proposed a HIT formula for the development of the land-locked country endowed with rich hydropower potential. By HIT, the Indian Prime Minister meant - H:Highways, I:I-ways and T:Transways. Shri Modi said, “these three combined together would pave the way for rapid development of the country and India wants to give this gift at the earliest.”
I felt deeply honoured with the privilege to speak to the Members of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal: PM @narendramodi— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
Shri Narendra Modi held talks with Nepal Prime Minister Koirala and Shri Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal in Kathmandu on Sunday. "Modi is result-oriented and gives priority to economic prosperity. He wants to consolidate ties with Nepal," foreign minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said after the meeting.
According to Nepal PM’s Foreign Policy Advisor, Dinesh Bhattarai, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said to Koirala, “My visit is focussed on development and a new beginning between the two countries,” in the presence of Indian and Nepali government figures and officials. Shri Narendra Modi assured Nepal PM that the ongoing peace process in Nepal would be concluded as per Nepal’s requirements as it is completely a Nepali matter. In the presence of the prime ministers of both the countries, the officials signed three memorandum of understanding (MoU) – • Tourism development in Nepal • Goitre Control Programme in Nepal, • Co-operation between the state-controlled television channels – Doordarshan and Nepal Television (NTV) They also exchanged terms of reference (ToR) on Pancheshwar Development Authority. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi offered a credit line of $1 billion to the Himalayan nation for road and hydro-power projects. Shri Narendra Modi also expressed his hopes for the India-Nepal relationship to serve as a "model and catalyst" for South Asian partnership for prosperity.
Shri Narendra Modi offered prayers at thefamous Pashuspati Temple on Monday, 4th August 2014.
Expressing his happiness on visiting the temple, he said, “Felt extremely blessed on offering prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple this morning”.
Felt extremely blessed on offering prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple this morning pic.twitter.com/t4EK1Yo6AV— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2014
He also met President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. On PM’s Nepali speech, president Dr. Ram Baran Yadav told Shri Narendra Modi, “You have won our hearts with your speech at the Parliament yesterday”.
PM @narendramodi meeting President Ram Baran Yadav of Nepal pic.twitter.com/C5h5endKye— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
As an extension of the visit, PM Shri Narendra Modi also met the leaders of the Nepali political parties and the business communities.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Chairman UCPN(M) met PM @narendramodi in Nepal pic.twitter.com/ay00XR58Tv— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
Shri KP Oli, Chairman CPN-UML met the PM pic.twitter.com/YHGXJrWh8Q— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
The PM meeting Madhesi leaders during his Nepal visit pic.twitter.com/wDq6ElB6Ld— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
During the visit, Shri Narendra Modi also met Unified Communist Party of Nepal(Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Kathmandu : PM Narendra Modi meets Unified Communist Party of Nepal(Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal pic.twitter.com/gSSR5YtTpw— ANI (@ANI_news) August 4, 2014
On reuniting Jeet Bhadur with his family during the Nepal visit
Shri Modi’s Nepal visit was also a landmark visit on a personal note. During his visit to Nepal he was accompanied by Jeet Bahadur, a boy from Nepal who was being supported by the PM for several years. It was an emotional moment for all of them. "...Long back, I met a young, helpless boy named Jeet Bahadur who had no idea about his whereabouts and also did not understand language properly... Inspired by the almighty, I started worrying about his future and soon he developed an interest in studies and also started understanding Gujarati...," Shri Modi tweeted.
Jeet Bahadur left his home years ago and reached Ahmedabad, where he met Shri Modi. Shri Modi then took care of his education. A few years ago a businessmen from Nepal met Shri Modi, who told him that he would only visit Nepal once the boy’s family located he would visit Nepal. In record time the family was located and Jeet Bahadur was united with his family. During this trip Shri Modi had the opportunity to travel to Nepal with Jeet Bahadur himself and meet his family.
Nepal was excited to welcome Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi
People in Nepal were at its best ahead of the visit. "All preparations related to Modi's visit have been completed", said Dinesh Bhattaraio, foreign relations adviser to Sushil Koirala. The flags of both the countries, Nepal and India were put up on the major streets of the city. The Himalayan country was excited about the visit and there people on the roads to catch a glimpse of Modi ji, who in turn made special efforts to connect with people. It was a lovely sight.
Extending special hospitality to Shri Narendra Modi, Nepal's Speaker Subash Chandra Nembang ordered a special tea from Ilam. Ilam is a place in Nepal which produces world class green tea.
The Nepal visit by PM Shri Narendra Modi is being seen as a major diplomatic push and a positive step towards improving relations with the Himalayan country.
Together we have laid the foundation for a new relationship between our 2 countries, which will draw strength from our deep ancient links:PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 4, 2014
