KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed mutual solidarity in minimizing the impact of COVID-19 during a telephone conversation held on Saturday.

“The leaders expressed mutual solidarity in the context of the efforts being made to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in both countries,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

During the telephone talks, Indian Prime Minister Modi offered India’s continued support to Nepal in this regard, the statement added.

PM Oli greeted the Government and People of India on the occasion of its 74th Independence Day, and also conveyed congratulations for India’s recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Oli appreciated Modi’s renewed priority to the neighborhood as spelled out in today’s Independence Day address, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on the latest efforts in the fight against COVID-19 and agreed to work together in this area. The Prime Minister of Nepal highlighted the efforts of the Government of Nepal against the pandemic and protect the life of the people,” reads the statement.

While underlining the need for early development of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, the Prime Minister of Nepal expressed hope that scientists around the world, including in India, would be able to develop it that will contribute to control and prevent the disease from spreading further.

In return, Modi thanked Oli for his telephone call and recalled the civilization and cultural links that India and Nepal share.

It is for the first time the conversation was held after Nepal issued its updated political and administrative map including the lands encroached by India. The relations between the two close neighbors have hit a new low lately.

Earlier today, PM Oli had extended congratulations and greetings to his Indian counterpart Modi, the government of India, and the people of India on the happy occasion of the 74th Independence Day.

In a tweet this morning, Prime Minister Oli had expressed best wishes for more progress and prosperity of the people of India.