New Delhi: Summing up the unease which has been the defining characteristic of Indo-Nepal relationship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the Nepal parliament on Sunday said, "It has taken us 17 years to meet despite being so close to each other".
Even after Modi's amicable visit, there are some fundamental challenges that needs to be overcome by both the countries.
The long time porous border between India and Nepal that has become a hot bed for money laundering and hawala racket needs to be fixed.
Both China and Pakistan have increased their presence in Nepal and the view in the Indian security establishment is that New Delhi has ceded the strategic space in Nepal and the role of intelligence agencies need to be reduced to earn the trust of the people of Nepal.
Reacting to the Indian Prime Minister's speech on Sunday, Nepal's Leader of Opposition Prachanda hailed it as "touching" and held Modi's visit as a cornerstone in the relationship between the countries. Prachanda also said, "Modi needs to walk the talk."
Modi, who is the first Indian premier to visit Nepal in 17 years, may have struck all the right notes; but the sense of optimism that he has created through his visit needs to be channelised in a bigger way.
The Prime Minister has promised Rs 10,000 crore in aid to Nepal, and employed the HIT formula for Nepal-highways; information ways and transport ways. However, China has already been investing heavily in Nepal.
Comments
0 comment