Stating that both the countries share similar geography, history, culture and civilisation, the newly-elected Indian premier said his government was ready to help its neighbour in its development agendas. “Come with the agenda, a clear work plan and objectives for a two-year development work and our government will certainly help,” Physical Planning, Works and Transport Management Minister Bimalendra Nidhi quoted Modi as saying.

Modi also said Nepal and India should be mindful of mutual security concerns as they share an open border. Modi expressed interest

in developing Nepal’s hydropower but urged to come up with specific project requirements.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Koirala said that Nepal had failed to gather momentum in development as it had to struggle due to Rana rule, Panchayat, Maoist insurgency and royal rule. He also urged Modi to consider Nepal’s request on flood and inundation control and continue help on various projects like postal road and Kathmandu-Tarai fast track.

Raising concern over the delay in the constitution writing process, Modi inquired when it would be completed. “Political parties have differences over forms of government and federal structure only. The new statute would be promulgated within a year,” replied Koirala.

Newly-appointed Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and foreign secretary Sujata Singh were also present in the meeting. From Nepali side Minister Nidhi, Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala and Shashank Koirala, foreign policy advisor Dinesh Bhattarai, joint secretary at the Foreign Ministry Amrit Kumar Rai and acting Nepali ambassador to India Krishna Prasad Dhakal attended the meeting.