12 August, Kathmandu: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said Nepal-India relations are most precious.
During a special function organized at Indian Embassy in Kathmandu on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day of India, on Friday, PM Deuba said Nepal is committed to working together with Indian leadership to preserve, promote, and protect the preciousness of the two-country relationship.

“It is good that the intensity of engagements between Nepal and India is increasing, and political contacts at the highest level have paved the way for building trust and confidence,” he said, adding, that he looked forward to his visit to India later this month, and exchanging views on matters of mutual interests with Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and Indian leadership for further deepening and widening the age-old relationship.

PM Deuba expressed happiness that as close neighbours, Nepal and India enjoy excellent relations marked by mutual understanding and respect to each other’s aspirations and sensitivities. The extensive cooperation in diverse spheres as well as wider people-to-people interactions across the open border characterize the depth and intensity of this relationship.

According to him, while institutionalizing democratic values and ensuring inclusive representation, people of Nepal ardently desire for development. Nepal is encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s approach ‘Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas’. “Nepal believes -our desire to get rid of poverty, disease, illiteracy and hunger and forces of destruction and damage and pave the way for sustainable peace, stability and inclusive development remains a common desire,” he argued.

Democracy remains powerful glue in bilateral relations, the PM reiterated.

PM Deuba also reminded with pride the participation of B.P. Koirala, Ganeshman Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Manmohan Adhikari from Nepal in the Indian Independence Movement. “It is a rare example of the people of two countries marching together for the ‘noble cause of independence and self-dignity.’ Today, democracy remains a universal human aspiration, a public good and a way of life,” he said.

The progress India has made in economic transformation, advancement of science, technology, communication, research and innovation following the independence is remarkable and inspirational. This is exemplary and remains a powerful story of contemporary world, the PM lauded.

On the occasion, Indian Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, said India’s democracy was dedicated to Indian people, and the Nepal’s democracy too would be successful.

According to her, former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the incumbent Prime Minister Deuba have begun golden chapter in Nepal’s democratic history.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri said the people in India were desperately waiting for Prime Minister Deuba’s visit to India, which would reach the two country relations to a new height.

Even a documentary featuring various dimensions of Nepal-India cooperation and relations was screened on the occasion. The programme was attended by the ministers, and dignitaries from both countries. RSS