PM requests India to provide more air routes

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has urged India to provide additional air routes from Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, and Janakpur.

In delegation-level talks held with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi here today, Prime Minister Deuba requested additional air routes to facilitate connectivity and travel between the two countries in the context where Gautam Buddha International Airport has come into commercial operation in Bhairahawa.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also proposed long-term power trade between the two countries for mutual interest, as both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress in the Arun-III hydropower project, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both the Prime Ministers stressed the importance of hydropower for clean energy, with abundant possibilities for collaboration in the hydroelectricity sector between the two countries. Prime Minister Deuba on the occasion called for investment proposals from companies interested in India to develop the West Seti Hydropower Project.

Both the Prime Ministers also agreed to move ahead with priority the Pancheswar Project, says a press statement issued by the Ministry following the talks.

During the meeting, both sides prioritized increasing cooperation in the expansion of connectivity and timely supply of fertilizer as well as reviewed the trade agreement.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of hydropower production, the development of the Buddhist and Ramayan circuit, educational support, and collaborating at a regional and multilateral forum on the issue of mutual interest.

Likewise, issues including the construction of the dry port, establishing an integrated check post at Chandani Dodhara, and the construction of a bridge linking Purnagirimai of Uttarakhand of India and Parshudham of Dadeldhura were also discussed.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Deuba extended gratitude to PM Modi for India's support in the post-Gorkha earthquake reconstruction and during the COVID-19 pandemic.