KATHMANDU: Chief Minister of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath has said he would put in maximum efforts to transform the centuries-old cultural and social relations between Nepal and India into strong trade relations.

The UP chief minister said so during a meeting with a 19-member delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in Lucknow on Monday. The FNCCI delegation was led by its president Bhawani Rana.

Stating that the UP government has prioritised infrastructure development along Nepal-India border areas for increased trade between the two countries, he reiterated commitment of the central government and the UP government of India for supporting Nepal’s development endeavours.

According to FNCCI, the Chief Minister stated that the UP government would immediately start works to upgrade the Gauriphanta and Aligadhawa border transit points. He also gave assurance of support for the promotion of the Nepalgunj-Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage circuit and religious tourism.

FNCCI president Rana, while welcoming the priority attached by the UP government for the development of customs and roads between the two countries, expected continued cooperation for promotion of Nepal’s religious tourism also.

“We expect the active cooperation of the UP government in the development of the Mid and Far-Western Region of Nepal,” she said.

The FNCCI delegation had visited Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh of India, to map the areas of collaboration between Nepal and UP regarding expanding economic and trade relations, investment promotion and tourism development.