Logo

Prime Minister Deuba to visit India from August 23



Constitution Day

KATHMANDU, Aug 3: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deubais scheduled to visit India on his first official trip overseas from August 23, according to government sources.

Deuba’s five-day state visit will come at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The detail itinerary and agenda of the visit and the size of the delegation are yet to be finalized, sources close to the prime minister said.

Deuba’s visit will focus on implementing the past accords that were signed during his visits to India in 1996, 2002 and 2004 as prime minister.

“The prime minister is keen to implement the past agreements reached during his three visits to India. While dwelling on the status of the India-funded projects, the prime minister also plans to discuss the issues, if any, that have impeded the projects,” said a senior official at PM’s residence.

“The prime minister has also told officials that there must be some concrete outcome from the visit,” added the official.

The two-decade old Rs 30,000-crore bi-national Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and other energy and infrastructure related projects are likely to be high on the agenda during Deuba’s visit, officials said.

The project aims to produce 5,000 MW of electricity.

In 1996, Deuba and then Indian prime minister P V Narasimha Rao had held discussions on reviewing the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty and expediting the implementation of the Mahakali Treaty, including the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project and its financing model, Saptakoshi High Dam, Sunkoshi Diversion, Karnali Multipurpose Project and Budhi Gandaki Hydro Electricity Project, among others.

In 2002, India and Nepal had agreed for the early conclusion of the Agreement for Mutual Legal Assistance and updating the Extradition Treaty and construction of four Integrated Check-Posts along the Nepal-India border.

Both sides had called for a plan of action for the early commencement of the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project. But a detailed project report is yet to be completed.

Besides his political engagements in New Delhi, Deuba is likely to visit Bodh Gaya in Bihar and Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh after concluding his engagements in New Delhi.

Comment