Narendra Modi's two day visit to Nepal encompassed almost all possible aspects possible on a foreign visit. Be it political (being the first foreign leader to address Nepal's constituent assembly), religious (visit to Pashupatinath temple), social (his address in Nepali and getting out of his heavily guarded car to interact with Nepalis) or emotional (reuniting the runaway Nepali boy with his family).
Modi's visit to Nepal has been historic in more than one way. Its not only a first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years but Modi is also the first Head of the Government of a foreign country to address Nepal's constituent assembly after it adopted parliamentary democracy in 1990.
His speech in Nepal's Parliament hit all the right chords. Being a talented orator that he is, Modi's speech which he started by speaking in Nepali became the talking point in Nepali press. There he scored his first goal. His 45 minute long address Modi reiterated India's commitment to Nepal's development by providing USD$1 billion line of credit to Nepal. India also signed three MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) ranging from providing grant to supply iodated salt to making amendments to Pancheswar Multiple Project as well as an agreement between Doordarshan and Nepal Television. Providing economic aid to Nepal was Modi's another goal. But his masterstroke came when he said to the 601-members strong Nepali Parliament that "India would always support Nepal's sovereign right to choose its own destiny. You decide what needs to be done, India will stand by you", clearly indicating that it wont be playing the role of the Big Brother in the neighbourhood. The only "piece of advice" that came from Modi was when he urged the Nepali legislatures to draft a 'carefully thought' and a 'visionary' constitution at the earliest that would address Nepal's aspirations. One of the gifts that Modi gifted his Nepali counterpart - Sushil Koirala, is a documentary series directed by legendary Shyam Benegal, titled - Samvidhaan which documents the planning and execution of the formation of the Indian Constitution.
Another highlight of Modi's visit was uniting Nepal-born Jeet Bahadur with his family. Bahadur left Nepal for India in search of livelihood 15 years ago as a small boy and landed in Ahmedabad. While how did he land at Modi's place is a mystery, the story goes that Modi gave him a place to stay and sent him to school. After staying with Modi for 15 years, Bahadur was reunited with his family that hails from a remote village in Nepal. Modi tweeted from his personal account about the joy of reuniting a lost son with his family.
Another aspect that grabbed headlines was Modi's offering of 2500 kgs of sandalwood to the famous Pashupinath Temple which he visited to offer his prayers on an auspicious Monday during the month of Shravan. Sandalwood, a steeply priced commodity in Nepal, is expected to last almost a decade. I wonder who is bearing the cost for such a religious extravaganza.
Besides a small hiccup of the power trade agreement which has been deferred due to certain 'drafting issues', the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbarrudin, called the trip 'Mission Accomplished'.
Endnote (Important to note)
In case of Modi, his past never leaves his side. Even as he aspires to be a statesman, lets not forget that though he made all the right moves in Nepal and reportedly won the hearts of Nepalis, not very long ago - under his leadership in Gujarat, five Nepalis self immolated in front of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation after the court's order enforced their eviction. Inspite of no direct involvement of the Modi government in the incident, one would have expected the Chief Minister of the state to reach out to the 'Nepalis'. And if not that, atleast ensure justice to the family when some of his own party men were investigated for their alleged involvement in this deadly incident.
Modi's visit to Nepal has been historic in more than one way. Its not only a first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years but Modi is also the first Head of the Government of a foreign country to address Nepal's constituent assembly after it adopted parliamentary democracy in 1990.
Watch Video: PM Shri @narendramodi 's historic address to Constituent Assembly of Nepal https://t.co/b2fcSM3zym
— MIB India (@MIB_India) August 3, 2014
His speech in Nepal's Parliament hit all the right chords. Being a talented orator that he is, Modi's speech which he started by speaking in Nepali became the talking point in Nepali press. There he scored his first goal. His 45 minute long address Modi reiterated India's commitment to Nepal's development by providing USD$1 billion line of credit to Nepal. India also signed three MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) ranging from providing grant to supply iodated salt to making amendments to Pancheswar Multiple Project as well as an agreement between Doordarshan and Nepal Television. Providing economic aid to Nepal was Modi's another goal. But his masterstroke came when he said to the 601-members strong Nepali Parliament that "India would always support Nepal's sovereign right to choose its own destiny. You decide what needs to be done, India will stand by you", clearly indicating that it wont be playing the role of the Big Brother in the neighbourhood. The only "piece of advice" that came from Modi was when he urged the Nepali legislatures to draft a 'carefully thought' and a 'visionary' constitution at the earliest that would address Nepal's aspirations. One of the gifts that Modi gifted his Nepali counterpart - Sushil Koirala, is a documentary series directed by legendary Shyam Benegal, titled - Samvidhaan which documents the planning and execution of the formation of the Indian Constitution.
Another highlight of Modi's visit was uniting Nepal-born Jeet Bahadur with his family. Bahadur left Nepal for India in search of livelihood 15 years ago as a small boy and landed in Ahmedabad. While how did he land at Modi's place is a mystery, the story goes that Modi gave him a place to stay and sent him to school. After staying with Modi for 15 years, Bahadur was reunited with his family that hails from a remote village in Nepal. Modi tweeted from his personal account about the joy of reuniting a lost son with his family.
On a personal note my Nepal visit is very special. Years ago I met a child from Nepal, Jeet Bahadur who did not know where he was headed.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2014
I started showing my concern for Jeet Bahadur. Gradually, he took interest in academics, sports & even learnt Gujarati!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2014
Thankfully, we were able to locate his parents. I am glad that tomorrow the parents would be reunited with their son.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 2, 2014
Another aspect that grabbed headlines was Modi's offering of 2500 kgs of sandalwood to the famous Pashupinath Temple which he visited to offer his prayers on an auspicious Monday during the month of Shravan. Sandalwood, a steeply priced commodity in Nepal, is expected to last almost a decade. I wonder who is bearing the cost for such a religious extravaganza.
Felt extremely blessed on offering prayers at the Pashupatinath Temple this morning pic.twitter.com/t4EK1Yo6AV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2014
Besides a small hiccup of the power trade agreement which has been deferred due to certain 'drafting issues', the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbarrudin, called the trip 'Mission Accomplished'.
Endnote (Important to note)
In case of Modi, his past never leaves his side. Even as he aspires to be a statesman, lets not forget that though he made all the right moves in Nepal and reportedly won the hearts of Nepalis, not very long ago - under his leadership in Gujarat, five Nepalis self immolated in front of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation after the court's order enforced their eviction. Inspite of no direct involvement of the Modi government in the incident, one would have expected the Chief Minister of the state to reach out to the 'Nepalis'. And if not that, atleast ensure justice to the family when some of his own party men were investigated for their alleged involvement in this deadly incident.
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