PTI

Kathmandu, April 3

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba returned residence on Sunday after concluding his maiden go to to India throughout which he mentioned the boundary points together with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the 2 leaders agreed to handle it by way of present mechanism, dialogue and diplomacy.

The two Prime Ministers on Saturday held in depth talks in New Delhi protecting varied key aspects of shut neighbourly ties between the 2 international locations.

Deuba, accompanied by a high-level delegation, arrived in New Delhi on Friday on a three-day go to on the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

“The bilateral talks and exchange of views were fruitful towards further strengthening cooperative relations between the two countries,” Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka, who was additionally a part of the entourage, mentioned whereas speaking to reporters right here on Sunday.

Prime Minister Modi mentioned that India is at all times involved about Nepal’s growth and guaranteed New Delhi’s continued help to Kathmandu in its prioritised sectors, Khadka added.

“During the talks, the two Prime Ministers also discussed boundary issues and the two leaders agreed to address such issues through existing mechanism and through holding dialogue and diplomacy,” he mentioned.

Khadka’s assertion assumes significance after Prime Minister Deuba on Saturday publicly urged the Indian prime minister to resolve the boundary situation by way of the institution of a bilateral mechanism.

Hours later at a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla mentioned there was a common understanding that the problem wanted to be addressed in a accountable method by way of dialogue and its “politicisation” must be averted.

“The issue was briefly discussed. There was a general understanding that both sides needed to address this in a responsible manner through discussion and dialogue in the spirit of our close and friendly relations and politicisation of such issues needs to be avoided,” Shringla mentioned.

Shringla’s feedback on the necessity for avoiding politicisation of the boundary row assume significance as then Nepalese Prime Minister Okay P Sharma Oli in 2020 tried to make use of the problem to fend off rising home strain and problem to his management.

The bilateral ties between New Delhi and Kathmandu had come underneath pressure underneath then Nepalese Prime Minister Oli’s authorities, which got here out with a brand new map exhibiting Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as Nepal’s territories.

After Nepal launched the map, India reacted sharply, calling it a “unilateral act” and cautioning Kathmandu that such “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims won’t be acceptable to it.

Matters similar to cooperation in schooling, well being, power, commerce and cross border transmission traces, enhancing cross border connectivity by way of railway line development, development of built-in verify submit and dry port, selling bilateral commerce primarily featured throughout the talks between the 2 leaders, Khadka mentioned.

“Prime Minister Deuba also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during which they discussed a variety of issues regarding promoting mutual interests and moving forward bilateral relations,” Khadka mentioned.

Prime Minister Deuba additionally urged the Indian enterprise leaders to put money into Nepal for bringing about financial prosperity and guaranteed that Nepal authorities is effortful in bringing authorized and coverage stage reforms for attracting overseas funding within the nation.

“The visit also provided a platform to interact and exchange ideas between Nepalese and Indian business fraternity,” the minister mentioned.

“It is our firm belief that the high-level talks Prime Minister Deuba had with Prime Minister Modi and other leaders and high officials in Delhi helped in further strengthening bilateral cooperation, collaboration and understanding between the two countries,” Khadka mentioned.

Prime Minister Deuba additionally prolonged his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to go to Nepal and in response the Indian chief recalled his previous visits to Nepal and guaranteed to go to once more at applicable time.

It was Deuba’s first bilateral go to overseas after turning into prime minister in July final 12 months for a fifth time following a spell of political turmoil in Kathmandu.

Deuba had visited India in every of his 4 earlier stints as prime minister of Nepal. His final go to to India in his capability because the prime minister was in 2017.