NEW DELHI: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today laid stress on the need to have enhanced connectivity between India and Nepal, saying it would boost economic growth of the two countries.
At an interaction with Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who called on him here today, the vice-president said enhanced connectivity between the two countries would boost economic growth and that renewed focus should be given to projects such as Terai region roads, rail links, integrated check posts, as well as Raxaual-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline.
He said that there was an immense potential for bilateral cooperation in the hydro-power sector and both countries should work for expeditious implementation of the Pancheshwar project signed in 1996.
"We need to expand our cooperation in water resources sector for the benefit of people of our two nations," Naidu added.
With Nepal engaged in implementing its Constitution, he congratulated the prime minister and his government for successfully conducting two phases of local body elections.
India would be happy to extend any election-related assistance for the upcoming elections in Nepal, he said, according to an official statement.
Naidu said the open borders between the two nations lend uniqueness to the relationship and bring enormous benefits to the people on both the sides.
But he cautioned that there was a need to be vigilant against misuse of the open border by miscreants.
The vice-president said India was eager to provide developmental assistance for generation of jobs and growth of domestic sectors of all neighbouring countries.