PM Modi charms Nepal

PM Modi has always been known to be at the right place, at the right time. Looking dapper in a beige kurta, Modi arrived in Kathmandu on a special Indian Airlines airplane hitting just the right note with his airplane sporting a Nepali flag, a warm Namaste, followed by a smile & a wave while disembarking, to the waiting Nepalese dignitaries & media at the airport. Such is the importance of this visit that the Nepalese Prime Minister, Sushil Koirala, broke protocol to receive the PM at the airport.

 

 

Keeping in view the security situation, the Nepalese government restricted civilians from even lining up to welcome the PM, however, such is the impression the PM has made here, people jostled near unrestricted areas to get a glimpse of the man who has been seen as the one who will revive Hindu aspirations in the subcontinent. Common Nepalis were seen talking about the man who single handedly bought UPA on its knees. It was a unique day in Nepal; no one complained the huge traffic jams, diverted routes and people were in fact, appreciative of the fact, that the Indian Prime Minister, put such a premium on India’s relationship with Nepal- the Modi wave was palpable in the air!



After gracing a 19 gun salute, PM Modi’s cavalcade made way to the Hotel Hyatt Regency where the Prime Minister rested for an hour, before embarking on a full day hectic schedule. PM held a formal meeting with Nepal’s foreign minister at the hotel itself wherein it was agreed to resolve all contentious border issues at the earliest. Among other issues, it was also agreed to finalize the Power Trade Agreement (PTA) & the Power Development Agreement (PDA) within 45 days. Further, PM Modi also assured the Nepali minister of Indian cooperation in infrastructure development, conservation of historic & religious places and energy sector collaboration.



 

PM Modi, then left for Singha Durbar, the seat of Nepal government and held a meeting with his Nepalese counterpart. Nepalese media has been abuzz with anticipation that the meeting will shift the current procedure of Nepal being micromanaged by Indian security agencies & mid level bureaucrats and make way for a more mature & political networking & cooperation under the new NDA government.

PM Modi was at his best when he addressed the Nepalese Constituent Assembly. Starting in Nepali, he not only managed to wow all those watching his address live on TV, he also managed to bring out a smile in even the fiercest critics of Indian polity in Nepal.

During his address, Modi announced a special Rupees 10,000 crores as additional aid for Nepal in addition to the aid that India is already extending to Nepal. Statesmanship of the PM was underlined when delicately acknowledged Buddha being born in Nepal, an issue that most Nepalis take umbrage when international media erroneously assign to India.

Talking on the initiative undertaken by Sikkimese government on organic farming, Modi stressed on the similar geographic similarities with Nepal and extended support for similar cultivation in Nepal and full cooperation from India, if Nepal wishes so. Amongst other things, he appreciated the constitution writing process currently underway in Nepal and hoped that the assembly would pass such a constitution that will address the aspirations of all Nepalis and not just a few core groups.

With his address to the assembly, Modi has managed to wipe away years of distrust & condescending attitude developed during the Indian National Congress (INC) and UPA regimes. Media houses were seen discussing the positivity injected by his speech, his approach in addressing Nepal as an equal partner in development & stressing on a relationship built upon mutual trust and equal standing, a stark departure from prior engagements when India acted as a “big brother”.

This has been a game changer visit & highlights the priority the Modi government has placed in improving relationship with neighboring countries in the two months since being voted to power. Modi showed a humane side of the Indian establishment, his impromptu stopping his cavalcade and shaking hands with common people lined on the streets has taken Nepalis by utter surprise and enhances the goodwill Modi already enjoys in Nepal. 

Today, Modi showed Nepal a very different India, today Modi showed the world what it means to India to have a nationalistic prime minister at helm and finally, today Modi showed India what he meant by when he said, “Aacche din aane wale hain”!!

Author: Ekta Patro