En route to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been busy with meetings with other high-profile leaders, such as K P Sharma Oli, the Prime Minister of Nepal, and Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestine. These meetings have focused on widening the scope of international engagement over sectors such as energy, trade and humanitarian assistance.
Strengthening India-Nepal Relations
On the margins of the UNGA, Prime Minister Modi held talks with Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli. The two leaders explored several areas of cooperation such as energy, trade and technology.
He addressed the deepening bilateral relations and said,
“Our talks dwelt on matters concerning energy, technology and trade between our two countries”.
Modi also agreed to visit Nepal which demonstrates the intention of both leaders to continually improve relations between the two neighboring states. This trip is set to be first foreign visit of previous political party leader, K P Sharma Oli and it is riding the tradition of first foreign visit of a head of government other than in a neighboring country. This makes relations with India more of global concern rather than just regional.
India Stands With Palestine
In a separate and more significant meeting, Prime Minister Modi also spoke with Palestinian authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting. Citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Modi reaffirmed that India still stands with the Palestinians as it has done before. His remarks came at a time when the tensions in the region were rising and emphasized Global Peaces concern from India And Support For Palestine.
In the meetings with the leaders of Nepal and Palestine Prime Minister Modi shows that India is eager to build bilateral relations with other countries and tackle the issues of the humanitarian crises.
India will certainly remain an important country in the world as it is now and these talks during UNGA are an indication of how far India is ready to go in the international arena to promote peace and development.