India, Nepal sign eight pacts

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

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba (L) before a meeting at Hydrabad House in New Delhi on Thursday. (Ajay Aggarwal/HT Photo)

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,” Modi said at a joint press event with Deuba and assured him of India’s commitment towards overall growth and development of the Himalayan nation.

Deuba said Nepal will “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.

Modi identified defence and security as an important aspect of bilateral ties.

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

Deuba arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit, his first foreign trip after assuming office in June this year.