New Delhi, September 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Oli today jointly inaugurated South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum pipeline with Kathmandu immediately announcing a Rs 2 per litre cut in the petrol price. Nepal is keen to name the pipeline “Ram Janaki Petroleum Pipeline”. The christening may happen when PM Modi visits Nepal. During the joint video-conferencing session today, PM Modi accepted Oli’s invitation to visit Nepal.

The work on the pipeline from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj, Nepal, was originally planned in 2015 but had to be put off due to a dip in ties following an unannounced blockade on Terai region of Nepal. Work began in earnest last year after both nations resolved their difference and a test run was conducted in July. India will now explore the possibility of building a natural gas pipeline for a fertiliser plant in Nepal.

Modi noted that the turnaround in ties had happened due to regular exchanges at highest political level that “have laid down a forward-looking agenda for expanding partnership,’’ said an official release. Oli expressed appreciation for completion of this connectivity project ahead of schedule. — TNS

Originates From Bihar

Pipeline would wean Nepal off dependency on oil by China that began supply after trucks were stranded on the India-Nepal border in 2015

Nepal PM Oli has announced a cut in the petrol rate by Rs 2/litre