India nepal sign pacts on energy transport

India nepal sign pacts on energy transport

India to import 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal, says Modi, who highlights the close cultural link between the two countries; he calls for fast-tracking projects related to the Ramayana circuit.

The border between India and Nepal should not become a barrier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as the two sides signed a series of agreements on energy and transport, including export of Nepal’s hydropower to Bangladesh through Indian territory.

Welcoming Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who is on a four-day visit to India, Mr. Modi said the two countries should fast-track projects related to the Ramayana circuit.

“I remember that nine years ago, in 2014, within three months of taking charge of office, I made my first visit to Nepal. I said at the time that we will establish ties between India and Nepal that would overcome the presence of borders. Today we signed the Transit Agreement. It will help Nepal’s population access India’s inland waterways,” he said.

Mr. Modi said India would take forward the 2022 India-Nepal vision document for cooperation in the power sector that sets an ambitious goal in India-Nepal power trade and transmission. “Taking this forward, 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 years,” Mr. Modi said. Focusing on energy cooperation, Mr. Modi said that a “new pipeline will be constructed from Siliguri to Jhapa in eastern Nepal”.

The two sides signed a number of agreements, including an MoU between NHPC and VUCL (Vidyut Utpadan Company Ltd.) of Nepal, for the development of Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project and a Project Development Agreement for Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project between SJVN (India) and Investment Board of Nepal. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the two PMs agreed to “achieve tangible and time-bound progress on the Pancheshwar multipurpose project”.

The two Prime Ministers participated through a video link in the ground breaking ceremony of the Gorakhpur-Bhutwal Transmission Line — on the Indian side. Mr. Kwatra announced that the two countries signed the revised Treaty of Transit under which Nepal will get to access to India’s inland waterways. He described it as a “once in a generation” pact.

“I appreciate India’s willingness to facilitate export of hydropower from Nepal to Bangladesh through India. We have agreed that the transmission of up to 50 megawatts of power will commence soon,” said Mr. Dahal.The two Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated a cargo train from Bathnaha in India to Nepal Customs Yard. The rail link was built with an Indian grant. They also inaugurated integrated checkposts (ICPs) at Nepalgunj in Nepal and Rupaidiha on the Indian side. They participated in the ground breaking ceremony of ICPs at Bhairahawa and Sonauli as well as Phase-II facilities as part of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Pipeline.

Prime Minister Dahal will proceed toUjjain on Friday where he will visit the Mahakaleshwar temple. Mr. Modi highlighted India’s cultural links with Nepal and said, “The religious and cultural ties between India and Nepal are very old and very strong.”