(Image source from: How Modi won the hearts of Nepalese people})
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit, beginning on Sunday, to India's neighbour Nepal. Modi's tour to Nepal is aimed at boosting India’s influence over its neighbourhood, which is increasingly being wooed by China.
On his maiden visit itself, PM Modi has won the hearts and minds of the people of Nepal. He started his gripping address to the Nepal Constituent Assembly in Nepali language, before moving on to Hindi.
PM Modi began his speech in Nepali saying, "I have returned to this beautiful country as a friend and I am happy to come here as Prime Minister." After that he switched over to Hindi. His first sentence was in reference to a previous visit to Nepal as a pilgrim.
Narendra Modi's Nepal trip was the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM, after a gap of 17 years.
During his speech, Modi announced concessional credit of $1 billion (Nepalese rupees 10,000 crore) to the Himalayan kingdom. He also proposed a "HIT" formula that could ensure development of Nepal endowed with rich hydropower potential.
Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav reportedly told PM Modi that his speech at the Parliament has won over the hearts of people of Nepal.
According to reports, Maoist leader and former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai also praised PM Modi for "magical address" that won over the hearts and minds of people of Nepal.
After German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, the Indian PM has became the second foreign leader to address the Nepal Constituent Assembly.
The Nepalese PM Sushil Koirala broke protocol and received PM Modi on Sunday at Tribhuvan International Airport.
During the meeting between Modi and Koirala, India and Nepal signed three agreements - tourism in Nepal, Pancheshwar Development Authority and cooperation between Doordarshan and Nepal TV.
Mr Modi's talked about launching a SAARC satellite, which will benefit the member nations in areas of flood control, health, medicine and agriculture.
Narendra Modi suggested a H-I-T formula for the land-locked country. He promised the development of Highways, Infoways and Transways to improve the economic growth of Nepal. The H-I-T formula meant to enrich Nepal's infrastructure was received well with applause.
The Indian PM also offered apology to Nepal about not visiting them for 17 long years and assured that such a mistake will not be repeated in future.
With an aim to pull Nepal out of China's influence, Modi stressed the importance of constitution. He said, “A Constitution always unites, it never divides… A Constitution is not merely a book. It integrates the past, present and the future.” Modi's speech was meant to convince Nepal to embrace democracy by adopting a strong democratic constitution, according to political experts.
Modi also extended a helping hand towards Nepal by promoting the country as a big exporter of herbal medicines. He offered more scholarships to Nepalese students in India and the development of pipelines to transport oil from Nepal.
PM Narendra Modi is one of the rare prime ministers of India who is also a capable diplomat.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
