Outcomes during the visit of Prime Minister to Nepal (November 25-27, 2014) 1. MoU on Motor Vehicle Agreement and flag off of Kathmandu-Delhi bus service ‘Pashupatinath Express’ The India-Nepal Bilateral Motor Vehicle Agreement for Passenger Traffic envisages regular bus services between the two countries as per agreed routes, trips and time-table. It simplifies the procedure for movement of private and non-regular vehicles across the India-Nepal border. This agreement would facilitate seamless and hassle-free movement of people of both countries, further enhancing people to people contact and also promoting tourism. It is modelled on a similar SAARC agreement. Initially, bus services will commence on the following three routes: i. Kathmandu-Bhairhawa-Sunauli-Gorakhpur-Lucknow-New Delhi; ii. Kathmandu-Bhairhawa-Sunauli-Azamgarh-Varanasi; and iii. Pokhara-Bhairhawa-Sunauli-Gorakhpur-Lucknow- New Delhi During the visit, Hon’ble PM flagged off the Kathmandu-Delhi Passenger Bus Service ‘Pashupatinath Express’. Once all the necessary modalities are in place, the objective is to operate the bus service on either daily or on alternate day basis 2. MOU on National Police Academy, Panauti The proposed National Police Academy at Panauti, located approximately 32 Km South East of Kathmandu, will be constructed on a plot of over 25 hectacres. Under the MoU, GoI will fund the cost of about INR 550 crores towards construction of the Academy. Earlier, the feasibility report of the Academy was completed with the assistance of National Police Academy, Hyderabad. MHA, Government of Nepal will be the executing agency and exercise oversight in coordination with GoI nominated officials in a Joint Project monitoring Committee (JPMC). Currently, GoI provides training courses in India to around 350 Nepal Police Officials every year. The Academy will cater to training of 410 Nepalese police officers annually. 3. Line of Credit of US$ 1 Billion The Line of Credit of USD 1 billion to Government of Nepal from EXIM Bank will be utilized for hydropower, irrigation and infrastructural development projects. It was announced by Hon’ble PM during his visit to Nepal in August 2014. It will further strengthen the bilateral relationship and boost trade and commerce. The LoC will be at a concessional rate of interest of 1 per cent and will, in case of civil works, allow JVs and reduced Indian content requirement of 50%. 4. MoU between Ministry of AYUSH, GoI and Ministry of Health & Population of Goernment of Nepal for Cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine The MoU seeks to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine and medicinal plants between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. It also envisages mutual recognition of officially recognized traditional systems of medicine, mutual recognition of educational qualifications in traditional medicines, provision of scholarships in recognized institutions, recognition of traditional preparations on reciprocal basis as per existing laws of respective countries as well as permission to practice on a reciprocal basis by the qualified practitioners as per existing laws of the respective countries. 5. MOU on Tourism between the GOI and GON on Cooperation in the field of Tourism Both India and Nepal seek to enhance cooperation in the tourism and hospitality sector. The MoU provides, inter alia, for:- • promoting cooperation and direct communication between the stakeholders of tourism and hospitality industry • exchanging information and data related to tourism • encouraging cooperation between tourism stakeholders • exchanging experience in the areas of promotion, marketing, etc. • constituting a Joint Working Group India and Nepal being neighbours can benefit from better cooperation in the tourism sector. Footfall of tourists in both the counties is on the rise. Both the countries offer many tourist attractions which can be complementary. Joint efforts should be made to tap the full potential of opportunities available in the sector. Besides holiday, adventure and mountaineering tourism, immense scope exists in developing spiritual tourist circuits, such as the Buddhist Circuit (Lumbini-Bodh Gaya-Sarnath-Kushinagar). Establishment of a JWG after signing of the MOU will help in addressing and implementing the above packages. Currently, India is the largest source of tourists coming to Nepal with 1,65,815 Indian tourists visiting the country in 2012. Total tourist inflows into Nepal in 2012 was 803,092 which amounts to nearly 40% of tourist flows into Nepal. 6-8. MoU on Twinning arrangements between Kathmandu-Varanasi, Janakpur-Ayodhya and Lumbini-Bodh Gaya as sister cities Janakpur-Ayodhya, Lumbini-Bodh Gaya and Kathmandu-Varanasi are proposed to be linked as sister cities owing to their deep cultural and historical linkages. Kathmandu, where the Pashupatinath temple is located could become the sister-city of Varanasi, where Kashi Vishwanath temple is located. Varanasi is often referred to as the holy city of India”. Varanasi is also known as the favourite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva as it has been mentioned in the Rigveda that this city in older times was known as Kashi or Shiv Ki Nagri”. One of the largest residential universities of Asia, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is located there whereas, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the greatest Shiva sites, Pashupatinath temple is located in Kathmandu. The people of Kathmandu and Nepal have had religious, cultural and educational ties with Varanasi since ancient times. Many eminent Nepalese are alumni of BHU.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 14:35:03 +0000
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