Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Modi struck the right notes in Nepal, says daily

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 Aug, 2014 08:13 AM
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck all the right notes during his maiden visit to Nepal, a leading Nepali daily said.
     
    "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck all the right notes during his two-day official visit to Nepal," the Republica said in its editorial Wednesday
     
    The editorial lauded Modi's repeated assertion that Nepal was now a "federal democratic republic". 
     
    The daily noted that there was reasonable scepticism in Nepal over Indian overtures on power, but it said that "Modi, through his unambiguous pledge of mutual cooperation, has gone some way towards assuaging their concerns".
     
    "He (Modi) carefully broached the traditionally touchy issues for Nepalis and tried to reassure them that India under him had Nepal's best interest at heart," the editorial said, while referring to his address to the Nepali parliament. 
     
    But despite Modi's assurance that things will be different under him, there are reasons to doubt Indian commitments on power projects and soft loans, the newspaper stated.
     
    During the two-day visit, Modi announced a $1 billion soft loan to Nepal for infrastructure and vowed to expedite the finalization of two energy cooperation related pacts - a Power Trade Agreement and a Project Development Agreement - within 45 days.
     
    "The Pancheswor multipurpose was first finalised during the last Nepal visit of Indian prime minister 17 years ago, but was stalled due to little initiative from India. Former Nepali prime ministers Girija Prasad Koirala and Baburam Bhattarai also extracted similar pledges on soft loans from India, which never came through," it said.
     
    The editorial said an equal blame for such initiatives to fell through lies with the Nepali political establishment. 
     
    "Some of the fears were clearly overblown and fanned with the sole purpose of extracting political capital by stirring up the latent anti-India sentiment," it stated. 
     
    The editorial highlighted Nepal's inability to spend the development assistance and the need for a stable party at the helm. 
     
    "If we can do that, as Modi pledged, India would be more than willing to assist Nepal in its development endeavours," the daily said.
     
    The editorial urged the Nepali leaders to follow Modi's free advice that asked them to think about the country before their political parties. 
     
    "Yet until that happens there will be no constitution and there will be no improvement in our bilateral relations with India," it stated.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Don't take Sikh religious matters to court: Akal Takht chief

    Don't take Sikh religious matters to court: Akal Takht chief
    Amid the controversy over the creation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) and the stand-off between Sikh leaders in Punjab...

    Don't take Sikh religious matters to court: Akal Takht chief

    Modi's Nepal visit to boost hydropower, infrastructure cooperation: Observers

    Modi's Nepal visit to boost hydropower, infrastructure cooperation: Observers
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nepal next month is expected to boost cooperation in hydropower and infrastructure sectors between...

    Modi's Nepal visit to boost hydropower, infrastructure cooperation: Observers

    AAP twin rallies to test support base in Delhi

    AAP twin rallies to test support base in Delhi
    The Aam Aadmi Party will hold two rallies - one for auto rickshaw drivers Thursday and the other Aug 3 - here to test its support base...

    AAP twin rallies to test support base in Delhi

    Amazon plans $2 billion investment in India

    Amazon plans $2 billion investment in India
    Amazon plans to invest an additional $2 billion in India to support its rapid growth and continue to enhance the customer and seller experience in the...

    Amazon plans $2 billion investment in India

    'Nepal keen to adopt Modi's development model'

    'Nepal keen to adopt Modi's development model'
    Nepal is keen to learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development model, visiting Nepalese Commerce Minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa said Wednesday....

    'Nepal keen to adopt Modi's development model'

    HC to hear plea Aug 1 for CBI probe into Katju's allegations

    HC to hear plea Aug 1 for CBI probe into Katju's allegations
    The Delhi High Court will hear Aug 1 a PIL seeking a CBI probe into Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju accusing three former chief justices...

    HC to hear plea Aug 1 for CBI probe into Katju's allegations