India, Nepal ink eight pacts

Prime Ministers Modi and Deuba also jointly inaugurate the Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross border power transmission lines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Nepal counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on Thursday.

India and Nepal on Thursday inked eight pacts, including on cooperation in countering drug trafficking.

The pacts were signed after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on strategic bilateral and regional issues.

“Had a positive meeting reviewing the gamut of our partnership,” Mr. Modi said at a joint press event with Mr. Deuba and assured him of India’s commitment towards overall growth and development of the Himalayan nation.

Mr. Deuba said Nepal would “never allow any anti-India activities from its soil”.

The two leaders also jointly inaugurated the Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur cross border power transmission lines.

Mr. Modi identified defence and security as important aspects of the ties.

Earlier, Mr. Deuba was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he is staying as a state guest.

Mr. Deuba arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a four-day visit, his first foreign trip after assuming office in June.