Modi’s visit successful, but agreement needs implementation: Acharya

KATHMANDU, May 14: Bhim Acharya, secretary of ruling party CPN-UML has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Nepal visit was successful. He, however, added that we have wait for some more time to call Modi’s visit a complete success.

“Modi’s visit was successful. The two prime ministers held conversation on various bilateral issues. The Indian prime minister’s visit has of course added a new level to Indo-Nepal diplomatic relations. But, We can call Modi’s visit a complete success unless the deals reached between the two leaders are implemented,” said Acharya speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Monday.

Indian PM Narendra Modi visited Nepal on May 11-12 at the invitation of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. During his visit the Indian PM visited Janaki temple, Muktinath temple and Pashupatinath temple. Modi, attending a civic reception at Janakpur, announced Rs 1 billion grant for the development of Janakpur. Modi and Oli jointly inaugurated Arun III, Nepal’s largest hydel project.

The duo also agreed on effective implementation of the bilateral initiatives in agriculture, railway linkages and inland waterways development, as agreed upon by the two sides during the recent visit of Prime Minister Oli to India.

“Modi have visited Nepal thrice since assuming office in 2014, which itself good news. It has been claimed that Modi’s trip has been largely successful and has added a new vigor to bilateral ties between the two countries,” he said adding, “But we have wait and see if the agreements will be implemented or not.”

Stating that many projects singed with India are yet to be implemented, he said, “Laying of foundation to Arun III is not a big thing. It will really be a big achievement if it is implemented in time. Likewise, the agreements on Kathmandu-Raxaul railway, inland waterways and initiatives in agriculture should get implementation. Only then, the bilateral visit can be said to have become complete success.”

“If India is willing to move ahead with Nepal correcting course, it should be seen in its behavior. Modi’s visit has disseminated a positive message. Bilateral exchanges were positive. But it should produce positive results as well,” he added.

On a different note, leader Acharya termed Province 2 chief Minister Lal Babu Raut’s expression, during a civic reception organized to felicitate Indian PM Modi, as immature. CM Raut, in his speech in presence of the visiting prime minister Modi, had said that the struggle against ‘the discriminatory constitution’ was still underway.