Categories: Economy

Will PM Modi’s Lumbini visit be a game changer in India-Nepal relations?

<p>
<strong>Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one day visit to Lumbini in Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Purnima give a new thrust to the political and bilateral contours between New Delhi and Kathmandu? Analysts said that the visit has been crucial for Nepalese sentiment. Modi is the first Indian prime minister to visit Lumbini and his visit follows the successful conclusion of Nepal’s local elections, in which the Nepali Congress emerged as the biggest gainer.</strong></p>
<p>
Bhaskar Koirala, Director of the Nepal Institute of International and Strategic Studies told India Narrative that the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit is significant.</p>
<p>
“Most importantly, by being present in Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, PM Modi has acknowledged to not just a Nepalese audience but globally as well, that the birthplace of the Buddha was indeed Nepal. This is very important for Nepalese sentiment and should have positive spin off for the larger bilateral relationship,” Koirala told India Narrative.</p>
<p>
Koirala added that the visit follows the conclusion of the local level elections in Nepal. “These elections have emerged out of the 12 point agreement,” he said.</p>
<p>
Under the 12-point agreement, the political parties in Nepal pledged to uphold democracy, peace, prosperity and social advancement and ending autocratic monarchy.</p>
<p>
The results of the local elections are expected to weigh in the forthcoming national elections.</p>
<p>
Modi has maintained that Nepal, with which India shares an open border policy, is one of the main pillars of New Delhi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.</p>
<p>
The visit, while kickstarting the Buddhist Circuit, also showcases the joint heritage shared by the two neighbours. </p>
<p>
“The circuit attracts tourists, researchers and academicians from all over the world,” Navita Srikant, foreign policy expert said. “The visit on the occasion of Buddha Purnima reiterates Modi’s commitment towards deepening India-Nepal friendship and calibrating connectivity and jointly towards mutual prosperity of the people,” Srikant added.</p>
<p>
India-Nepal relations had nosedived last year after Nepal’s former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli issued a new political map claiming the disputed areas in the Kalapani region as part of the Himalayan nation.</p>
<p>
Amid global geopolitical shifts and challenges, India and Nepal along with other South Asian countries are looking to boost connectivity and expedite the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). The BBIN project is being perceived as a game changer for economic growth in the region.</p>
<p>
At present, a chunk of Nepal’s trade—both imports and exports – are routed through the Haldia and Vishakhapatnam ports. Sources added that India is expected to open up more ports for Nepal.</p>
<p>
Nepal is dependent heavily on India for access to ports though Kathmandu has also been granted access to Chinese ports now.</p>
<p>
India accounts for 64 per cent of Kathmandu’s overall trade volume.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/pm-modi-s-visit-to-lumbini-is-part-of-india-s-rise-as-a-civilizational-state-171319.html">PM Modi’s visit to Lumbini is part of India’s rise as a civilizational state</a></strong></p>
<p>
<strong><a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/india-s-ties-with-nepal-are-unparalleled-says-pm-modi-171156.html">India’s ties with Nepal are unparalleled, says PM Modi</a></strong></p>

Mahua Venkatesh

Mahua Venkatesh specialises in covering economic trends related to India and the world along with developments in South Asia.

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

13 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

13 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

15 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

15 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

17 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

17 hours ago