Nepal and India to establish sister city relationship between Janakpur of Nepal and Ayodhya of India.
In the dynamics of international relations, bilateral ties stands as a crucial development towards shared prosperity and mutual understanding. The sister city program between India and Nepal stands as a testament to such efforts, facilitating deep-rooted religious connections of ancient Bharat.
Established with the goal of nurturing the relationship between both the nations, this initiative brings together Janakpur city of Nepal and Ayodhya city of India transcending the borders to foster cultural, social and economic cooperation.
HISTORICAL TIES BETWEEN NEPAL-INDIA:
Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies an important place in India’s foreign policy because of its cultural, geographical, historical and economic ties. India- Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini which is at present day Nepal. The India-Nepal treaty of peace and friendship, 1950 forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECENT DECADE:
- Arun-3 hydro electric project: investment of Rs 1236 crore for 900MW hydro project by India for Nepal on Arun river.
- Pancheshwar multi-purpose project: an arm of mahakali treaty signed in 1996 and west seti hydropower project, a reservoir.
- Cross border rail link: the operationalisation of the 35km cross-border rail link from jayanagar in bihar to kurtha in Nepal.
- Double circuit transmission line: 90km long 132kv double circuit transmission line connecting Solukhumba to Siraha close to India border.
- Cross-border petroleum pipeline: aka motihari-amlekhgunj 69km long pipeline reducing the cost of fuel transport.
- Inland waterway network: India agreed to allow Nepal to use their inland vessels to operate on Indian inland waterways.
HISTORY OF SISTER CITY PROGRAM:
In a program organized by the chamber of India, hosted by Nepal embassy, Janakpur mayor expressed his desire to establish a relation between two ancient cities (Ayodhya and Janakpur).
In 2014, an agreement was signed between two countries for the development of two cities Ayodhya and Janakpur as “Twin cities”.
The ministry of road transport and highways announced the construction of “ ram janaki marg” to link Janakpur to Ayodhya for which the government of India allocated Rs. 2000 crore in 2015.
CULTURAL CONNECTIVITY AND PARADIGM SHIFT:
The core essence of the sister city program lies in its diverse spectrum of collaborations. Through this platform cities will engage in reciprocal learning, leveraging each other’s strength across various sector. The cultural exchange will facilitate the employment generation, economic development and cultural prosperity.
Cultural heritage is at the heart of this program, celebrating the rich heritage and traditions shared between India and Nepal. Within the cultural heritage, ram mandir of Ayodhya is at the core of the program. Festivals, music etc will serve as a vibrant avenue for tourism.
ECONOMIC DIVERSITY:
Economic cooperation is another facet of the sister city program which will facilitate trade delegations, investment opportunities, etc. This partnership will stimulate economic growth, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation. Collaborative projects in infrastructure development, urban planning further strengthens the socio-economic fabric of participating cities. Moreover, this program transcends mere governmental interaction and enable the ground-level engagement. Local communities, non-governmental organizations, etc will actively participate in the program volunteering initiatives aimed at addressing common challenges and providing sustainable solutions.
ENDEAVOUR TO SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY:
This sister city program also serves as a platform for people-to-people diplomacy, enabling them to engage in a long lasting friendship and goodwill. This program will transcend geographical boundaries, while promoting diversity, unity and cooperation.
While each city under this program is unique in its own way, there is one thing in common – aspiration to bridge the gap of understanding and collaboration. It will succeed in showing the potential belief that by working together, cities can achieve greater heights.
As the program will evolve, it will stand as a shining example of Nepal-India diplomatic synergy.
The sister city program between India and Nepal stands as an evidence to the never-ending bond that unites nations beyond political borders. Through cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, grassroots engagement, this program will enrich the lives of citizens on both sides, while thriving on a journey of cooperation and goodwill across generations.