India, Nepal flag-off rail service, ink agreements to boost bilateral ties

In its first run, the train will be carrying railway personnel and officers while normal operations will start for passengers from April 3. Only Indian and Nepalese citizens will be eligible to travel on the train. It is mandatory to have a photo identity card during the journey.

New Delhi: India and Nepal on Saturday signed four agreements during an official visit by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to New Delhi. The agreements were signed following delegation-level talks between Nepal and India that were held after a meeting between prime ministers of the two countries. Nepal and India have signed an agreement on the International Solar Alliance, technical assistance related to railways, supply of petroleum products and exchange of technical expertise between Nepal Oil Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation.

Both sides flagged off the inaugural run of the Kurtha-Jayanagar railway service, a power transmission line and launched India's RuPay payment card in Nepal after they held wide-ranging talks. The Jaynagar to Kurtha railway link will be the first modern railway service in Nepal. Addressing the media after the meeting, PM Narendra Modi said the friendly ties between India and Nepal are unique and such a relationship is not seen anywhere else in the world.

He said India has been and will continue to remain a firm companion in Nepal's journey for peace, prosperity and development. Meanwhile, Nepal PM Deuba said that India and Nepal share age-old time-tested, democratic, and civilizational ties. Deuba called India Nepal ties highly important. PM Modi also mentioned the close connection between Nepal and Kashi while hoping PM Deuba will like the new changes at Kashi Vishwanath. Prime Minister Deuba is on a three-day official visit to India. This is his first visit abroad after becoming the Prime Minister in 2021. Nepal is important for India strategically as well as bilaterally.

"PM Deuba and I also agreed to give priority to trade and cross-border connectivity initiatives in all respects. The beginning of the Jayanagar-Kurtha rail line is part of this initiative. Such schemes will make a great contribution to the smooth, hassle-free exchange of people between the two countries," said PM Modi. "We also agreed on the subject of greater participation by Indian companies in Nepal's hydropower development plans. It is a matter of happiness that Nepal is exporting its surplus power to India. It will contribute well to the economic progress of Nepal," added PM Modi.

"I am very happy that Nepal has become a member of the International Solar Alliance. This will promote sustainable, affordable, and clean energy in our region," said PM Modi. Talking about the "Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP)" to be developed in Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India, PM Modi said, "Our joint vision statement on power cooperation will prove to be a blueprint for future cooperation. We emphasized the importance of moving ahead at a fast pace in the Pancheshwar project. This project will prove to be a game-changer for the development of this region."