India and Nepal agreed on many issues regarding economic cooperation and development projects.
PM Modi's visit to Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Purnima proved to be a new dimension to the relations between the two countries. PM Modi's visit took a concrete initiative to strengthen mutual relations amid the growing influence of China and tensions with Nepal in the border dispute.This was the first Lumbini visit of any Indian Prime Minister. By the way, within a month and a half, this was the second meeting of the two Prime Ministers, which worked to enhance the atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation. After the visit, PM Modi said that the relations between India and Nepal were discussed in detail. In less than six hours of PM Modi's visit, where more than half a dozen agreements were signed between the two countries.
Agreement on cooperation in many fields
Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba along with his wife Arzoo Deuba and seven cabinet ministers were present to receive Prime Minister Modi on Monday morning. While PM Modi visited the Maya Devi temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, he also laid the foundation stone of the Buddhist Cultural and Wealth Center to be built by India. International Buddhist Confederation based in India, world class facilities like prayer hall, library etc. will be built in this center.
The issue of energy was the most important in the talks between the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal. Nepal also invited India to develop the Western Seti project which had been incomplete for many years. The Government of Nepal has also decided to entrust the development of the fourth phase of the hydroelectric project on the Arun River to India. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Monday between India's public sector company SJVN and Nepal Electricity Authority for a 490 MW project. The Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam Limited (SJVN) is developing power projects of more than 2000 MW in Nepal. However, India has also placed a small condition in the electricity trade with Nepal. The condition is that India will not buy electricity for hydro-electric projects built with Chinese money and with the help of Chinese companies.
These Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed:
MoU between Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Lumbini Buddhist University on the establishment of Dr. Ambedkar Chair for Buddhist Studies.
MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and CNAS Tribhuvan University for establishment of ICCR Chair on Indian Studies.
MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and University of Kathmandu for establishment of ICCR Chair on Indian Studies
Memorandum of Understanding (LOA) between Kathmandu University of Nepal and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras for the program at postgraduate level
Agreement between SJNV Limited and Nepal Electricity Authority for the development and implementation of the Arun4 project