KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi today, giving continuity to the tradition of high-level visits.

"Strengthening the special and people-centric partnership based on historical and cultural context, PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomes Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli at Hyderabad House for delegation level talks continuing the long-standing tradition of high-level visits," MEA India tweeted.

The delegation level talks focused on the expansion of bilateral ties in all areas, especially in developmental cooperation, trade and investment, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and connectivity, and people to people contacts.

Dialogue among friends! PM @narendramodi and Prime Minister of Nepal K.P. Sharma Oli had a fruitful discussion to expand bilateral ties in all areas, especially in developmental cooperation, trade & investment, agriculture, energy, connectivity & people-to-people contacts. pic.twitter.com/28qav3DGEL

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 7, 2018

The Prime Ministers of Nepal and India addressed a press meet at Hyderabad House, post delegation level talks, where both the prime ministers talked about bilateral matters. "Prosperity is our common goal. Prime Minister Modi and I had a very constructive meeting," said Prime Minister Oli while addressing the press.

On the occasion, PM Modi congratulated Nepal on entering a golden era and said that the political development in Nepal is a matter of great joy for India as well. He said that there has been historical involvement of India in Nepal's development, and India will continue its support in the future as well for the economic development and prosperity of Nepal.

PM Oli said that Nepal attaches great importance to its relation with India, and as close neighbours the two countries share a common destiny. He said that he had constructive deliberations on specific agendas of bilateral importance with PM Modi.

PM Oli also took the opportunity to congratulate PM Modi on the progress made by India in the last two decades, and further mentioned that Nepal sees this as an opportunity for development.

He said that he appreciated the government of India's regulations for cross border electricity trade and shared the importance of energy banking with development of new transmission lines.

PM Oli further stressed the issues of hydropower development, water resources, improving cross border infrastructure including railways and connectivity through river navigation (connection via waterways). On this issue, PM Modi had also said that now the two countries would not just be land-linked but water-linked as well.

Likewise, PM Oli also emphasised the need for the implementation of expansion of exports and modernisation of agriculture. He talked about expanding post-earthquake reconstruction programmes that have been supported by the government of India.

PM Oli further opined to seize the opportunities to boost relations between the two countries, and give continuation to bilateral engagements at the highest level. He also took the opportunity to extend an invitation to PM Modi to visit Nepal.

Meanwhile, prior to the press meet, PM Oli and PM Modi had remotely inaugurated the Birgunj-Raxaul Integrated Check Post (ICP) and Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum products pipeline.