Context: The first stretch of rail link between Nepal and India is ready to resume on the neighbouring country’s first-ever broad gauge passenger service (Jainagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas railway project).
Key Points

• Nepal has been asked to start operations preferably by this year.
• It remained shut for years but will now be seen again- in a new avatar.

India-Nepal Rail Link

• In 1937, the British had built a narrow-gauge line to ferry cargo, mainly logs, from Nepal to India. 
• However, over time it became a popular passenger service before it was stopped in 2014 for conversion to broad gauge.
• India decided to carry out the entire gauge conversion work, including trains to operate on the link in 3 phases.
• The first stretch is a 34-km line between Bihar’s Jayanagar and Nepal’s Kurtha. 
• In between these two lies the Hindu pilgrimage city of Janakpur Dham.
• The second stretch of 17 km from Kurtha to Bijalpura is also getting the finishing touches.
• For the remaining portion up to Bardibas, the land is being handed over to IRCON.
• The construction cost of Rs 784 crore for the entire stretch is being borne by India in the form of a grant to Nepal.
• The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited has got the contract for operations and maintenance of the line.
• It will train and develop manpower provided by Nepal, as per the bilateral understanding.
• Nepal has been asked to start operations preferably by this year. 
• It has been stressed by us that early operations will avoid the deterioration of assets.

Significance of the Project
India Nepal close cultural linkages

• The link represents the fact that India and Nepal always had close cultural links.
• Madhesis of Terai Region have a Relation of Roti-Beti with adjoining India.

Connectivity to the pilgrimage site of Janakpur

• Janakpur is considered the birthplace of Mata Sita, who is one of the most divine deities of Hinduism.
• Hence it also has religious sentiments attached to it.

Countering Chinese Influence

• It will also counter Chinese influence by Track 2 and Track 3 diplomacy by increasing inter-country movements.
• Inauguration of the first commercial rail service in Nepal by India:
• It is also a matter of pride to complete a project in a foreign jurisdiction.
• It shows the competence of Indian Companies after partial success at Chabahar Port.

Possibility of next project

• Earlier in Oct 2021, the India-Nepal Joint Working Group signed an agreement for a final location survey for another broad gauge line between Bihar’s Raxaul and Kathmandu.
• When done, it will be a hill railway that will direct rail connectivity between Nepal’s capital city and the Indian network.
• It will open multiple avenues for cross-border movement.

India Nepal Relations

• India and Nepal share a very cordial relation spanning across different fields.

Trade

• India is Nepal’s biggest trading partner.
• Nepal has an escalating trade deficit with India.
• Nepal and India have concluded bilateral Treaty of Transit, Treaty of Trade and the Agreement of Cooperation to Control Unauthorized Trade.

Infrastructure Projects
India is developing different infrastructure in Nepal like

• Dams: Arun-3 hydro project
• Rail Links between Kathmandu and Raxual

Cultural linkage

• Hinduism is the major religion in Nepal.
• Terai Belt of Nepal shares the relationship of shelter and marriage (Roti Beti ka Sambandh) with the Indian states of UP and Bihar.

Jobs and Other Humanitarian Support

• Nepalese are given jobs in the Indian Government and Army.
• India has always extended a helping hand during different disasters.
• Irritants in the Indo-Nepalese Relations

Entry of China

• The Chinese Propaganda and debt diplomacy is luring Nepal.
• Nepal too is using China Card to negotiate with India

Anti-Indian Sentiment post alleged Blockade by India after Constitutional crisis in Nepal:

• India has been alleged to apply blockade after the Nepalese Constituent Assembly failed to acknowledge the demands of the Terai region Madhesis.

Road Ahead

• It is one of the great opportunities for India to win back Nepal and ensure an integrated and united South Asia.
• In accordance with Gujral Doctrine, India must keep on strengthening such ties