New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli today jointly inaugurated Jogbani-Biratnagar, the second Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the border. The check post was inaugurated via video conferencing.
Jogbani-Biratnagar is built with Indian assistance to facilitate trade and people’s movement across India-Nepal border.
The check post is an important trade point between the two countries. The ICP is equipped with modern facilities. It is spread over 260 acres and is capable of handling 500 trucks on a daily basis.
In his remarks PM Modi said, “India has been playing the role of a trusted partner in Nepal’s all round development.”
He also said, “’Neighbourhood first‘ is the main policy of my government and improving cross border connectivity is an important aspect of it. The issue of better connectivity becomes all the more important if it concerns India- Nepal, because our relations are not simply of neighbours but we are also connected through culture, nature, families, language, development and many more threads.”
PM said that India is working on cross connectivity projects for road, rail and transmission lines in Nepal.
Both the PMs also witnessed the remarkable progress in Government of India assisted post-earthquake housing reconstruction projects in Nepal.
Referring to 2015 Earthquake in Nepal PM Modi said, “India played the role of first responder in relief and rescue operations and now is standing shoulder to shoulder with our friends in the reconstruction of Nepal.”
Out of Government of India’s commitment to build 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, 45,000 houses have already been completed.
The Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli thanked India for its efforts. The Rs 140 crore project will improve trade and people-to-people contact.