Kathmandu, Sept 10 . Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said Nepal has attached high importance to its relations with India. After inaugurating the project on Motihari-Amlekhgunj interstate petroleum products pipeline from Singha Durbar via video conference today, PM Oli viewed that new vigor, dynamism and direction was needed to further elevate Nepal-India relations to a new height.
With the enforcement of the cross border pipeline project, not only time but also the cost would be saved on transport of petroleum product, he said, adding that it helps reducing air pollution as well. “The pipeline project has brought positive effect on Nepali consumers. Nepal Oil Corporation has slashed the price of petroleum products by two rupees per litre today itself,” he reminded.
The PM expressed gratitude to the Indian government for its cooperation and assistance to complete the project. “The petroleum products pipeline between Nepal and India is the best example of connectivity between the two countries. For this, I thank Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government,” he observed.
According to him, Nepal-India cooperation is not only limited to some projects as the agreements have been made on various areas of bilateral assistance as on railway, roadway, hydropower, and integrated customs office. He further argued that favourable atmosphere was created to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit. “The relations between Nepal and India are so deep that these can be expanded at any time,” the PM mentioned.
Moreover, the PM said, “Nepal has now encouraging atmosphere with growing economic growth rate, dynamism and able human resources for development and prosperity.” The government with the two-thirds majority was making headway to political stability.
During the address, PM Oli also invited his Indian counterpart to visit Nepal.
I’m very happy: exudes Indian PM Modi
On the same occasion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing PM Oli, Ministers and concerned officials via video-conference from New Delhi, expressed his happiness over the inaugural of the cross border petroleum products pipeline. “I am very happy that the bilateral project has been completed in joint effort of the both countries,” he said.
The petroleum pipeline is the first cross border pipeline in South Asia. The Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline project had been completed in half of the 30-months deadline stipulated on the part of Indian side as Modi said the bilateral project was highly prioritized by both countries.
Stating that India and Nepal had centuries old family and cultural ties at people-to-people level, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s support in the Nepal’s development endeavors. “The people-to-people relations between the two countries were a basis of the bilateral ties between India and Nepal,” he underscored.
Modi reminisced that he was regularly in talks with the top political leadership in Nepal and recalled that he had met with Nepal’s Prime Minister Oli four times in the last one and half years. He also mentioned the partnership forged between the two countries in new sectors benefiting the both countries. Accepting the invitation extended by PM Oli for Nepal visit, he pledged to visit Nepal in an appropriate time.
