Modi's Nepal visit aims to re-establish trust, deepen diplomatic relations

modi-oli-arvind-jain [File] Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in New Delhi | Arvind Jain

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third trip to Nepal on May 11 is being regarded as a "working trip" with a focus on taking forward the outcomes of Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's visit to India last month.

There appears to be an urgency in getting back relations on an even keel, and re-establishing the trust, which Oli had mentioned, has eroded in recent times.

The hectic developments to take forward the game changing initiatives agreed upon last month will be carried forward to show India's commitment to trust building. The three projects were the Raxaul-Kathmandu rail link, agricultural partnership and development of inland waterways.

India has already identified the entity for surveying the rail link project and hopes to finish the survey by the year end. It has prepared a pilot project on organic farming and shared the contours of the plan with Nepal. The inland waterways project (a dream of Oli) requires a change in the Treaty of Transit between the two countries, which is likely to take time. In the meanwhile, India is beginning work on readying the trans shipment terminal at Talughat, Bihar. Sources say it should be ready by next year.

India's focus is on pushing new connectivity projects with Nepal, making an early move before other players enter the field.

Oli, who had felt that India was responsible for his ouster last time, however, made New Delhi his first foreign visit in his second term. New Delhi believes it had managed to allay Oli's concerns about how India will work with the Nepal government, erasing the rancour of the past. The fact that Oli had come to power through a democratic process with two third majority has certainly helped.

Modi's two day visit, it appears, will also aim to push the Ramayana tourist circuit agenda. His first stop is Janakpur, important not just as an important site in the Ramayana but also the region of Madhes, a people with which India has strong cultural links. Oli, in fact, will receive Modi at the Janakpur temple, itself. Modi will also be visiting the Mukti Nath temple, which is revered by Hindus and Buddhists. For Hindus, it is a Shaktipeeth, one of the places where the body parts of Sati, Shiva's consort fell after her death. Her forehead is believed to have fallen here. For Buddhists, the place is a seat of Tantric Buddhism.

With Karnataka elections on May 12, Modi certainly has a lot to pray for.