Modi’s 2-day Nepal visit from May 11

With relations with Nepal back on track, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the Himalayan neighbour from May 11. During the two-day visit, the focus will be on implementing the previous agreements and expediting the pacts signed during Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli’s visit to India last month. However, during the goodwill trip, Modi is expected to make some fresh announcements with regard to renovation of temples in Janakpur and Muktinath.

This will be the third visit by Modi to Nepal in the last four years. According to sources, this is also possibly the first time an Indian PM has travelled thrice to Nepal in a single tenure. The two countries share a ‘special relationship’ often termed as “Roti-Beti ka rishta”. However, the obstructions to food and other supplies in 2015 due to Madhesi agitation led the Nepal government under Oli to accuse India of pushing the Himalayan country to face economic blockade. It had even raised the issue at the United Nations arguing the obstruction of food and essential supply materials was pushing Nepal towards deprivation and hunger.

Three years later, with power in Nepal shifting between Oli to Pushp Kamal Dahal to Sher Bahadur Deuba and back to Oli again, the see-saw relationship now appears to be back on track. During Oli’s visit to New Delhi in April this year, the two sides signed three Rs game changing’ pacts —  expansion of electrified rail link between Raxaul to Kathmandu, development of inland waterway, and collaboration in agriculture.

Sources said some progress has been made over the last one month over these agreements. For instance, the survey work for Raxaul—Kathmandu rail link has begun and the report is expected by the year-end.  The contours of a pilot project on organic farming has been prepared and shared with Nepal. And while the two sides prepare to rework the Treaty of Transit, a trans-shipment point at Talughat in Bihar is being readied.

This time in Nepal, Modi along with Oli will jointly inaugurate the 900 megawatt capacity Arun-3 Hydro Electric Power project on river Arun. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 5723.72 crores. Weeks before the joint inauguration there was a blast at the project side leading to damage of the compound wall. Fearing sabotage by terror groups active in the South Asian region, India had asked Nepal to probe the blast. “Security of investments by Indian Government or the Indian people is a prime concern. Security has been beefed up in all these areas,” sources said.

However, there are serious concerns over the rising influence of Pakistan’s intelligence agency —ISI — in Nepal. Sources indicated that though India’s security concerns will be raised during the bilateral talks between the two sides, there is a general feeling that the government of Nepal is willing to understand India’s security concerns.

Meanwhile, Modi lands in Janakpur on May 11 where he will along with Oli with perform pooja at the temple. Janakpur is likely to be part of India’s Ramayan circuit announced by Modi Government in 2016. Modi will also attend a civic reception at Janakpur before flying to Kathmandu for talks with Oli. Modi will also call on President and Vice President of Nepal besides meeting the former PMs of the country. On May 12, Modi will visit Muktinath where he will offer prayers at the temple and possibly announce a financial package for its restoration.