KATHMANDU, Aug 3 (AFP): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Nepal on Sunday to try to speed up progress on power agreements while also aiming to counter rival giant China's influence in the region.
Modi flew into Kathmandu for talks on strengthening trade ties including harnessing Nepal's vast hydropower resources in the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Himalayan nation in 17 years.
Modi said the two-day visit "highlights the high priority that my government attaches to our relations with Nepal".
"I hope my visit will open a new chapter in India-Nepal relations, characterised by more frequent political engagement and closer cooperation," he said in a statement late Saturday.
Energy security is expected to be top of Modi's agenda, with a push to revive stalled projects and develop hydropower plants using Nepal's abundant water resources and Indian investment.
Earlier proposals to develop joint ventures between the two countries have stalled due to disagreements over perceived threats to Nepalese sovereignty, allowing rival China to step into the breach.
Modi in Nepal to boost energy, trade ties
FE Team | Published: August 04, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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