Modi's visit takes Nepal-India ties to new heights: Oli
Kathmandu, May 13: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Nepal was highly successful and has taken bilateral ties to new heights, Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said on Sunday.
Oli made the remarks in Parliament while informing members about Modi's visit.
An environment was created to take forward Nepal-India relations based on mutual benefit, Oli said, while claiming that national interests were kept in mind while dealing with India and no compromise will be made.
"Once we had stressful relations with India, but that stage is now over," the Prime Minister said. "We have mended fences... There will be no more blockade from the Indian side in future."
On Saturday, Modi had tweeted: "My Nepal visit was historic. It gave me a great opportunity to connect with the wonderful people of Nepal."
Modi's latest visit was the third to Kathmandu in four years, coming in the backdrop of a six-month blockade on Nepal-India border as well as a Left victory in Nepal's elections.
The "stressed situation" that led to the blockade three years ago and hurt bilateral relations have now turned harmonious, Oli said.
Echoing Modi's statement that India respected the sovereignty and integrity of Nepal, Oli said that bilateral relations should be based on equality and India's support will be received as per Nepal's needs.
Oli told lawmakers that discussions and agreements inked will benefit both countries.
Oli said that projects on which both countries will cooperate were related to road and railways, waterways, integrated security checkposts, transmission lines and petroleum pipelines.
"The Prime Minister of India and I have agreed ... to address in a time-bound manner the outstanding issues between our two countries. This will further strengthen Nepal-India relations," Oli tweeted in English, a translation of his tweet in Gujarati.
Oli and Modi have agreed to resolve all outstanding issues by September 19, the day marking the promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
PM Modi to address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM, a day after a bill to implement women's reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
"The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday)," an official said.
Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementation of women's quota and the happenings in Parliament, where opposition parties on Friday voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required for the passage of the crucial bill but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.
During polling on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday night, 298 members voted in its support, while 230 MPs voted against it.
Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
