As close neighbors, India and Nepal share a unique relationship, characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people–to–people contacts

Taking ahead the bilateral ties between India and Nepal, New Delhi has sped up the implementation of infrastructure development projects in the Himalayan country.

Last week, the reconstruction of Dharmashala at Budhanilkantha started, which is one of 28 cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects being undertaken with a reconstruction of NRs 5800 million committed by the Government of India for the cultural heritage sector.

All the 28 sites were identified by the government of Nepal and both India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard in August 2017.

On March 10, the new building of a co-operative promotion center in the Lalitpur district of Nepal was inaugurated as a part of the High Impact Community Development Project.

In addition to the above the Embassy of India has gifted 18 ambulances and 9 school buses to various health posts, NGO and educational institutes in Lalitpur District.

Assisting Nepal in another High Impact Community Development project, India has provided financial assistance of 44.17 million under Nepal-Bharat Maitri Development Partnership to develop a new school building in the Rupandehi district of Nepal.

Besides, there have been many projects under construction or reconstruction in Nepal.

Since 2003, India has completed 446 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal, of which 84 are in Province 3, including 9 in Lalitpur District.

In August, last year, it was decided by both sides to speed up the implementation of development projects in Nepal against the backdrop of consistent efforts by China to draw Kathmandu into its sphere of influence with its infrastructure projects.

The two sides had also noted the progress made in the development projects in the last year, including reconstruction of 46,301 earthquake-damaged houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, the operationalization of Motihari-Amlekhgunj cross border petroleum products pipeline, the Integrated Check Post at Biratnagar, and the High Impact Community Development Projects.

As close neighbors, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted people–to–people contacts of kinship and culture. India has also assisted Nepal during the times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated its support for India and has said that the ties of the Himalayan nation will remain unaffected with India amid its growing ties with China.