Shringla defines Nepal-India relationships in four pillars

India’s relationship with Nepal rests on four pillars – development cooperation, stronger connectivity, expanded infrastructure and economic projects – according to visiting Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Shringla, who is on a two-day official visit to Nepal said, while delivering a lecture on Nepal-India relations in Kathmandu on Friday.

Stressing the need for strong cooperative relations between the two neighboring countries, he also said that his country sees Nepal as foremost friend and development partner. “India will work to Nepal’s priority.”

Easier and enhanced access to educational opportunities in India for the young people of Nepal, he said, adding that India will work to Nepal’s priorities. “The structure that the pillars hold up is also well-defined and unchanging – mutually beneficial people-to-people contacts. And in all this technology, particularly digital technology, is to my mind a force multiplier.”

“Nepal is fundamental to India’s neighborhood-first policy, he added. “People-to-people linkages between the two countries are strong and we in government only compliment it.”

“India sees itself as Nepal’s natural and instinctive responder,” the Indian foreign secretary said, while referring to India’s prompt response to devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015 that claimed nearly 10,000 lives leaving thousands injured. “India will also share the Nobel coronavirus vaccines, once it gets.”

Shringla arrived Kathmandu on Thursday at the invitation of his counterpart Bharat Raj Paudyal. Earlier on Thursday, he called on President Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. Shringla also held a delegation-level meeting with foreign secretary Paudyal on Thursday afternoon. He returned New Delhi on Friday.