India joined hands with Nepal to develop inland waterways for cargo movement. The decision was taken to boost cooperation in connectivity sector within the framework of trade and transit agreements.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli vowed to step up overall engagement maintain the relationship of "equality, mutual trust and respect".
- The two leaders directed their respective officials to formulate and mutually agree upon the requisite procedures and modalities for including inland waterways as an additional means of transport in the protocol to the treaty of transit between India and Nepal.
Impact
The new initiative would enable cost-effective and efficient movement of cargo. It will also positively impact the growth of business and economy of Nepal.Highlights of State Visit of Prime Minister of Nepal to India
K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, was on a State visit to India from April 6-8, 2018. During his visit, the following events took place.
The two Prime Ministers inaugurated the Integrated Check Post at Birgunj in Nepal that aims at enhancing cross-border trade and transit of goods and movement of people bringing greater opportunities for shared growth and development.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross-border petroleum products pipeline at Motihari, India was witnessed.
Joint Statements
India-Nepal Statement on Expanding Rail Linkages: Connecting Raxaul in India to Kathmandu in Nepal
- The two Prime Ministers agreed to construct a new electrified rail line connecting the border city of Raxaul in India to Kathmandu in Nepal. The rail line to be constructed with the help of India's financial support will expand the connectivity to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development
- The two leaders noted that the stretch of railway lines from Jayanagar to Janakpur/Kurtha and from Jogbani to Biratnagar Custom Yard will be completed in 2018, and that work on the remaining stretch of the ongoing rail link projects: (a) Jayanagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas and (b) Jogbani-Biratnagar, will be taken forward on priority.
- The two leaders emphasized the importance of implementing the remaining three links under Phase-II of the India-Nepal cross-border rail link projects: (i) New Jalpaiguri-Kakarbhitta, (b) Nautanwa-Bhairahawa, and (c) Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj. Welcoming the ongoing Final Location Survey of the three links, the two leaders agreed to expedite completion of the remaining survey work.
India-Nepal Statement on New Partnership in Agriculture
- Prime Ministers of India and Nepal reaffirmed their resolve to promote cooperation in agricultural science and technology, agricultural production and agro-processing in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries for the mutual benefit of farmers, consumers, the scientific community as well as the private sector.
- Ministers for Agriculture of the two countries and will focus on collaborative projects in agricultural research & development, education, training and scholarships; strengthening of supply and value chain; climate resilience; research in seed technology; soil health; strengthening infrastructure of plant protection laboratories; research in indigenous genetic resources; animal husbandry; veterinary research and development facilities; agro forestry; bio pesticides, bio fertilizers; cooperative farming, and promoting exchanges between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC).
Expected Questions
With which of the following countries has India joined hands to develop Inland Waterways for cargo movement?
a. China
b. Myanmar
c. Bangladesh
d. Nepal
e. Israel
