KATHMANDU:Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have remotely inaugurated the Nepal-India cross-border petroleum pipeline today through a video conference via remote control.

The formal inauguration took place after the executive heads of both the neighbouring countries pressed a switch through a live video conference connecting the Prime Minister’s Office in Singha Durbar, Office of the Indian Prime Minister in New Delhi, Amlekhgunj-based oil depot of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), and Motihari-based depot of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

Also present at the inaugural meeting from Nepal’s side was Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri, among other officials.

Here is the full text of PM oli’s address on the occasion of this ceremony.

KP Sharma Oli during the Ceremony of Joint Remote Inauguration by the Prime Ministers of Nepal and India of Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum

Products Pipeline

His Excellency Prime Minister

Shri Nareandra Modiji,

Honourable Ministers,

His Excellency Ambassador

Manjeev Singh Puri,

Friends from Media,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Namaskar!

I have great pleasure to speak on this occasion of the inauguration of the flagship project of Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Products Pipeline completed under Nepal-India cooperation.

I remember it was just last year in April during my visit to India that Prime Minister Modiji and I attended the ground-breaking ceremony and formally launched this Project.

It is heartening to note that the Project has been completed so early- within half of its scheduled time-frame, enabling both of us to inaugurate for its operationalization today.

This pipeline Project is the first of its kind between Nepal and India and in South Asia.

I believe, it will not only save time, reduce cost, lessen road traffic, and reduce air pollution in transporting petroleum products from India to Nepal but also open avenues in Nepal for expanding similar pipelines across the country.

As I talk here about the positive impact of the Pipeline on consumer price, I am happy to share with you that Nepal Oil Corporation has already reduced both diesel and petrol prices by 2 Rupees per liter effective from today.

Moreover, this Project will, without any doubt, enhance interconnectedness and interdependence between our two countries. It is one of the best examples of connectivity in terms of trade and transit infrastructure of Nepal and India.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prime Minister Modiji and the Government of India for the support and cooperation to bring into operation such an important project.

Prime Minister Modiji, Distinguished Audience,

Nepal-India cooperation is not limited to a few projects alone. Many more bilateral projects covering various areas of cooperation, such as roads, hydropower generation, Integrated Check Posts, bridges, agriculture, tourism, railways and inland waterways are in the pipeline.

Early completion of them, with similar pace and efforts, I believe, will enormously benefit both of our countries and peoples.

And, I am happy to note that implementation of various India-aided projects has gathered momentum in recent years following the understanding reached between Modiji and myself in our previous meetings.

At this moment, I would also like to appreciate the works relating to the post-earthquake reconstruction of about fifty thousand houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot Districts of Nepal under India’s financial assistance. These houses stand as a symbol of India’s support and friendly gesture to the people of Nepal.

Such development works, many of which directly benefit the people, contribute to make our relationship stronger and fruitful.

Nepal attaches great importance to its relations with India. The relationship between our two countries is so deep and dense that no area of cooperation is left untouched. There is always a scope of expanding it further.

We are now at an important juncture of history. Today, both Nepal and India are in a better situation of political stability with strong majority governments. Rising economic growth rates, availability of dynamic and capable human resources and rich natural resources endowments offer promising environment for development and prosperity.  This has also created an enabling environment for further strengthening partnership and cooperation between our two countries for mutual benefit.

Besides, we have similar visions of development, prosperity and happiness of our peoples, backed up by solid political commitment and strong determination to realize them. Modiji’s sab ka sath sab ka bikas and sab ka bishwasand my vision for Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali, capture the essence of our commitment, determination and efforts to transform the development landscape of our respective countries.

In this context, what I believe is that we need to inject new vigor, dynamism and direction to Nepal-India relationship so that it could continue taking new heights in the days ahead.

I am ready to work hand in hand with Prime Minister Modiji towards attaining this objective.

While recalling the exchange of successful visits in the past, I take this opportunity to extend a cordial invitation to you, Prime Minister Modiji, to pay a visit to Nepal at your earliest convenience.

Finally, I would like to extend sincere thanks to the government officials, local authorities and the institutions concerned of Nepal and India, who worked tirelessly in bringing into operation this important pipeline project of Nepal-India cooperation.

Thank you!

(10 September 2019)