PM Deuba invites PM Modi to visit Nepal at earliest convenience

Glasgow/New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Nepal at the earliest convenience, during their bilateral meeting on Tuesday on the sidelines of the COP26, and also proposed that the inauguration of the Jaynagar-Kurtha cross-border rail link be done at the Prime Minister-level.
This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at a media briefing later.
“The two PMs know each other very well,” said Shringla, adding that the bilateral meeting was “touching base in PM Deuba’s new capacity”.
The Nepal PM thanked PM Modi for construction of 50,000 post-quake houses and the repair of schools, hospitals, and the cultural and heritage sites that were restored by India after the April 2015 quake, said the FS.
Deuba also spoke about the cross-border oil pipeline from Motihari in India with Amlekhganj in Nepal. He also spoke about the Jaynagar to Kurtha railway line “and wanted the inauguration to be considered at the PM level”, the FS said.
PM Deuba spoke of many other projects by India that are ongoing, and thanked India for providing vaccines to Nepal as well as the one million doses just supplied, he added.
“He invited PM Modi to visit Nepal at his earliest convenience,” the FS said.
Prime Minister Modi in a tweet said:
“Had a productive discussion with PM @SherBDeuba
on multiple aspects of the India-Nepal friendship. Subjects relating to fighting the global pandemic and furthering sustainable development are key parts of our bilateral friendship.”
The Nepalese PM tweeted in reply:
“It was indeed great to sit and engage on different issues with PM @narendramodi Ji. I am positive our efforts will show great results in our region in controlling both COVID-19 and climate change. I thank you for the commitment shown. @COP26”.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in a tweet, said:
“PM @narendramodi met Nepal PM @SherBDeuba
in Glasgow. Theirs was a fruitful meeting, in which different issues including a collective effort against COVID-19 and working together to overcome climate change were discussed.
The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation including in the context of ongoing efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The two leaders noted the excellent cooperation between India and Nepal during the pandemic particularly through the supply of vaccines, medicines and medical equipment from India to Nepal as well as by ensuring the free flow of goods across the borders.”
Both leaders also agreed to work closely towards post-pandemic recovery.
This was the first meeting of Prime Minister Modi with Prime Minister Deuba after the telephone conversation between them in July this year when Deuba assumed office as the Prime Minister of Nepal, it said.
On October 22, India handed over the Jaynagar-Kurtha cross-border rail link, built with Government of India assistance, to the Government of Nepal.