Parliamentary committee Chair Yadav for further strengthening Nepal-India relations

Kathmandu, Feb 26: President of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives (HoR), Raj Kishor Yadav, has underscored the need for cooperation to improve Nepal-India relations.     

Addressing an international conference on 'Nepal-India Relations, Relevance of Buddha's Teachings in Neighbourhood Diplomacy' in New Delhi, India on Wednesday, he stressed the need to strengthen historical, cultural, religious and people-to-people ties between Nepal and India.     

"These shared characteristics allow us not only to embody the opportunities linked to history and culture, but also to strengthen bilateral relations and achieve common prosperity through regional cooperation, " Yadav said. He said religious tourism routes such as the Buddhist, Ramayana and Mahabharata circuits should be promoted to strengthen Nepal-India historical and cultural ties.     

The former minister expressed his view on expanding physical and digital connectivity between the two countries, economic and regional cooperation, and called for further strengthening Nepal-India cooperation for shared prosperity and peace in South Asia region.     

He said that a Buddhist circuit connecting Bodhgaya and Lumbini, expanding the Ramayan circuit to include Ayodhya and Janakpur, and promoting the Mahabharat circuit to include places associated with the Pandavas should be materialized properly.     

Similarly, Yadav said that infrastructure projects such as cross-border rail, road, petroleum pipeline and energy transmission line should be expedited. He also raised the issue of cooperation and interoperability in the digital payment system between Nepal and India.     

Yadav also called for increased investment from India in the hydropower, industry, and tourism sectors in Nepal, saying the trilateral energy agreement has opened the door for regional cooperation. "Both countries need to make substantial efforts to take advantage of this shared opportunity. It takes commitment to make these initiatives a practical success, "he said, adding," Physical and digital connectivity must be the key pillars of our cooperation, as they are vital for economic growth, social progress, and regional stability."     

He urged all concerned bodies to work towards enriching not only Nepal-India relations but also the entire South Asian region by making effective use of regional forums such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, and BBIN.(RSS)