Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded two day visit to Nepal on 4 August 2014. During the visit, Prime Minister addressed the Nepalese Parliament. Narendra Modi was welcomed by the guard of honour.

This was the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Nepal in 17 years. Modi was assisted with a team of 101 delegates including several ministers accompanying him.

The visit was aimed to forge a new relationship with Nepal and to start a new chapter in bilateral ties that will serve as a model and catalyst for regional partnership. 

Narendra Modi made the following announcement during his visit:

•    The Prime Minister gave a HIT formula for Nepal. India wants to help Nepal build highways (H), information highways (I) and transways - transmission lines (T). 

•    The Prime Minister announced that India will give Nepal 10000 crore Nepali rupee concessional line of credit, for its development. 

•    The Prime Minister announced that he is keen to double power supply to Nepal. 

•    The pipelines would be built to help transport oil to Nepal. 

•    The scholarships to students from Nepal would be increased. 

•    India would help Nepal emerge as a major exporter of herbal medicines. 

•    India would also help develop the tourism potential of Nepal, both as a spiritual, and adventure tourism destination. 

•    He offered assistance to Nepal in the fields of organic farming, and soil health.

Analysis

One of the prime agendas of the visit would be to speed up negotiations on a power trade between the two countries.

Negotiators were trying to narrow down differences over the power pact aimed at harnessing Nepal's estimated 42000 MW hydro-electric potential to meet domestic needs and also supply India's giant energy-starved economy. 

The Himalayan nation currently has an installed capacity of 600 MW as its development has been held back by years of political instability. Nepal is still struggling with the transition to a constitutional republic after the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.

Nepal's relationship with India is also important to contain the rise of China as the strongest power in South Asia.

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World Bank President Jim Yong Kim Arrived in India

The World Bank President Jim Yong Kim arrived in New Delhi, India on 21 July 2014 on his three-day visit. During his visit, he will meet Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi for understanding the development priorities in India. Jim Yong Kim is scheduled to meet the Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley also.
Activities to Be Undertaken during Jim Yong Kim’s Visit
Jim Yong Kim will also visit the World Bank assisted project sites in Tamil Nadu in order to find out about rural-urban transformation challenges. 

Important Facts
The International Finance Corporation, which is the private sector arm of the World Bank Group has so far mobilized 1 billion dollars offshore rupee bond program, which was aimed at providing strength to the capital markets of India as well as for attracting the foreign investments. 

India is also the place for largest operations of the the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). 

The assistance received by India by the World Bank Group between July 2013 and June 2014 amounted to 6.4 billion dollars and this included 100 million dollars from the Clean Technology Fund, 2 billion dollars from IBRD and 3.1 billion dollars from IDA. All these resources are administers of the World Bank Group.

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PM Narendra Modi paid first visit to BARC

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in Mumbai on 21 July 2014. This was his first visit to the DAE after becoming the Prime Minister of India in May 2014.

He was received by Dr. R.K Sinha, Secretary, DAE and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

During his visit, he was briefed on India's atomic energy programme; DAE's extensive research and development and education programmes; and DAE's contributions in other areas such as healthcare, especially cancer treatment, food security, solid waste management and water purification.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• On his visit, the PM explained about the energy security need, which is based on clean and reliable sources and is critical driver of India's rapid and sustained long term development.
• In implementing, DAE's ambitious expansion programme, the PM assured complete support from the Union Government and asked DAE to meet the target of increasing the capacity by three times from the present level of 5780 MWe by 2023-24 within the projected cost.
• Prime Minister told DAE that nuclear safety and security were of the highest priority and asked DAE to ensure that India's standards and practices were the most advanced in the world.
• The PM asked DAE to pay special attention to the local communities in planning and implementing nuclear power projects.
• Prime Minister lauded the contribution of DAE scientists in the critical area of cancer research and treatment through the Tata Memorial Hospital.
• He expressed hope that DAE would soon implement the planned projects in Chandigarh and Vishakapatnam and would take one of the most advanced standards of cancer treatment in Asia to other parts of India.
• PM also directed DAE to make special efforts to expand its research and extension on national scale applications of atomic science in areas like healthcare, waste management, water treatment, agriculture and food preservation.

Year-Long Celebrations for Diamond Jubilee of DAE

In context of the Diamond Jubilee of DAE which will be celebrated on 3 August 2014, the Prime Minister asked DAE to chalk out programme of year-long celebrations, with special focus on the various human and developmental dimensions of atomic science, with special outreach to the youth in schools and colleges throughout the country.

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