New railway line will be developed connecting India and Kathmandu: PM Modi

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that a new railway line will be developed which will connect India and Kathmandu. The duo also inaugurated India-Nepal petroleum products pipeline from Delhi on the occasion. 

During the joint press statements, Modi also said: "We aim at improving waterways and railways with Nepal. Today we reviewed the progress in various such connectivity projects." 

PM Oli added: "Nepal attaches great importance to its relations with India, our countries enjoy-old historical ties and have many things to offer to each other." He has further invited PM Modi to pay a visit to Nepal soon.

Modi also hopes to continue the long history of India's contribution towards Nepal's development. 

Oli, along with his wife Radhika Shakya and paid tributes at Raj Ghat on Saturday. Oli who is on his first visit to India after returning to power in February was received by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. 

The Nepalese Prime Minister underscored the significance of friendship at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying, "Friendship is most important and there is no comparison with friendship. Any treaty any agreement, everything starts with friendship. With our neighbours, particularly with India, we first expect friendship.

During the visit, Oli will call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other ministers will also call on Nepalese Prime Minister.

Various issues including agriculture, energy, connectivity, trade and investment and reconstruction are likely to be discussed during the visit.

The $1.5 billion 900 mw energy project by the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam is expected to be completed within five years.

He will also interact with Indian businessmen, industrialists, intellectuals and meet people from Nepali community.

The 66-year-old leader is not known to be India-friendly now and experts on South Asian politics believe that New Delhi has a test on its hand now to tackle Nepal, an age-old friend which has shown a strong tendency to lean in favour of China of late.