During meeting with Nepal PM, Prime Minister Modi recalls 'HIT' formula for bilateral ties

Recalling his 'HIT' formula for India-Nepal ties during his meeting with Nepalese PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' in New Delhi on Thursday (June 1, 2023), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the boundary issue woild be resolved in a spirit of friendship. "We will continue to work to give our relationship the height of the Himalayas. And in this spirit, we will solve all the issues, whether it is of boundary or any other issue," he remarked during a press statement after bilateral talks with his Nepalese counterpart Addressing the media with the Nepalese PM by his side, Prime Minister Modi recalled his first visit to Nepal in 2014. "At that time, I had given a "HIT" formula for India-Nepal relations, HIT- Highways, I-ways, and Trans-ways.I had said that we will establish such links between India and Nepal that our borders do not become barriers between us," he pointed out. He then went on to outline what he had meant: * Oil should be exported through pipeline instead of trucks. * Bridges should be built over the shared rivers. * Facilities should be created for exporting electricity from Nepal to India. "Today, after 9 years, I am happy to say that our partnership has truly been a 'hit'," he said, as he listed the following achievements in various fields: * Nepal's first ICP was made in Birganj. * The first Cross-Border Petroleum Pipeline of the region was built between India and Nepal. * The first Broad-Gauge rail line has been established between India and Nepal. * New power transmission lines have been constructed across the border; India was now importing more than 450 MW of power from Nepal. DECISIONS TAKEN DURING BILATERAL TALKS Speaking to the media, Prime Minister Modi also listed the following important decisions taken during the bilateral meeting. * Today the Transit Agreement has been concluded. In this, along with new rail routes for the people of Nepal, provision has also been made for the facility of India's inland waterways. * We decided to increase physical connectivity by setting up new rail links. Along with this, it has also been decided to provide training to railway personnel of Nepal in Indian Railway Institutes. * To boost connectivity to the far western region of Nepal, two more bridges will be built at Shirsha and Jhulaghat. * We welcome the steps taken in financial connectivity through cross border digital payments. Thousands of students, lakhs of tourists and pilgrims as well as patients who have come to India for medical treatment will also be benefitted by this. * Economic connectivity will be strengthened by the construction of three ICPs. * A long term Power Trade Agreement has been signed between India and Nepal today. Under this Agreement, we have set a target of importing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal in the coming ten years. * Cooperation in the power sector has been further strengthened by agreements on the Phukot-Karnali and Lower Arun Hydro-Electric Projects. * In view of the positive impact of Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum pipeline, it has been decided to take this pipeline up to Chitwan. * Another new pipeline will also be constructed from Siliguri to Jhapa in eastern Nepal. * New storage terminals will also be set up at Chitwan and Jhapa. * The two sides agreed on mutual cooperation to set up a fertilizer plant in Nepal.