Amid Doklam rift, India, Nepal signs 8 pacts
India and Nepal on Thursday discussed strategic bilateral and regional issues and inked eight pacts, including on cooperation in countering drug trafficking after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba. The visit assumed significance in the wake of a military stand-off between India and China near the Sikkim border. At the joint press interaction, Deuba said Nepal would “never allow any anti-India activities from its soil”. He also hailed Modi’s ‘Neighbour First’ policy and approach on ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.
Deuba’s assurance on not allowing his country for any anti-India activities may have soothed frayed nerves. But Nepal standing neutral grounds in the India-China dispute has raised concerns. Over the past few years, China has opened more than 30 crossing points for trade and transport along the border with Nepal. China has also provided broadband access to Nepal after a similar attempt with India ran into rough weather. China has also promised to reconstruct the old trade route — now called the Rasuwagadhi highway and is now under-construction — for better connectivity between Nepal and Tibet. China had also provided petroleum to Nepal during 2015-16 when the India-Nepal border was blocked.
The two leaders also …read more
