Eye on China, India offers train, river link to Nepal
■ Modi, Oli look to enhance trade, border security
In an attempt to go past the bitterness of recent incidents and build a “forwardlooking relationship”, visiting Nepalese Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in the Capital on Saturday and decided on new “game- changer” initiatives including a cross- border electric rail link between Kathmandu and Raxaul in Bihar, connecting Nepal to the Indian railway system, and a separate river transport system that could give Nepal a route all the way to the sea.
The Indian offer to enhance Nepal’s connectivity comes at the time of China’s aggressive infrastructure offensive in the Himalayan country in the form of One Belt One Road initiative ( OBOR). Touted as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ambitious project, the OBOR initiative focuses on improving connectivity and cooperation among Asian countries, Africa, China and Europe. India and Bhutan are the only south Asian countries not to be involved in the ambitious project
On Saturday India and Nepal also decided to build a “new partnership” in agriculture, defence, energy and trade, a reflection of India’s bid to actively counter China in the region.
Though Mr Oli’s visit is taking place against the backdrop of increasing Chinese influence in Nepal, Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale claimed that the countries did not discuss China or OBOR during bilateral talks.
Mr Gokhale said that the two PMs discussed Saarc’s future but the issue of demonetisation ( by India in 2016 and its effects on Nepalese nationals) did not come up.
Mr Oli, who is widely seen as pro- China in his approach and policies, said that Nepal wants to “erect a strong edifice of trust- based relations between two close neighbours ( India and Nepal)”. ◗ Indian offer to enhance Nepal’s connectivity comes at the time of China’s aggressive infrastructure offensive in the Himalayan country in the form of OneBelt- One- Road initiative
He added that Nepal wants to create a “model relationship” with India based on “principles of equality, justice, mutual respect”.
“We need support of our friends. Relation among neighbours is different from other relations. This is based on mutual respect,” he said.
Reciprocating the goodwill, PM Modi said, “Through our efforts, Nepal will get extra connectivity to the ocean... It will get directly connected to the sea... Nepal will be not only land- linked but also water- linked… PM Oli’s vision of ‘ prosperous Nepal and developed Nepal’ is compatible to sabka sath, sabka vikas.”
PM Modi added, “We both will prevent misuse of our open borders with each other. We will advance our joint security interests.”
In a veiled reference to the Madhesis, people mostlu of Indian origin