New Delhi: Former Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, who is on a three-day India visit, has said that while new dynamism marks the bilateral ties between the two nations there are “some issues left by history” that need to be sorted out in order to realize the full potential of the relations.
On Sunday, Prachanda, who is Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), met with BJP president J.P. Nadda and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.
He is visiting New Delhi at the invitation of the BJP chief.
Prachanda was given a special tour of the entire BJP party office by Nadda.
During a talk on Saturday, Prachanda said that as friendly neighbors, Nepal and India have been aware of each other’s concerns and sensitivities and Kathmandu “has not allowed its land to be used against the interests of our neighbors and it expects similar assurance from India”.
“Mutual trust and respect for each other’s sensitivities have helped to overcome some misunderstandings in the past…Exchange of high-level visits and frequent interactions have further strengthened the age-old, time-tested and multidimensional ties between our two countries,” he said, recalling the recent visit by Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba to India and that of PM Narendra Modi to Lumbini.
“In his address in Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti celebration on 16th of May, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi highlighted that the friendship between the peoples of Nepal and India are unshakeable like the Himalayas.
“As we mark this year the 75th anniversary of formalization of the bilateral relations between Nepal and India, this new dynamism speaks of huge potentials to take our relations to newer heights. From this juncture, we can confidently look forward to the next 75 years and beyond forever stronger and greater cooperation in several sectors –including tourism, culture, commerce and connectivity,” he said at a talk at Sapru House.
Mentioning Nepal’s trade deficit, he said it continues “to widen at an alarming rate for the size of our economy”. Given this scenario, it is “imperative to fully realize Nepal’s export potentials”, and that a “more favourable market access and trade facilitation” are needed to fully realize Nepal’s export potentials.
“As Nepal is set to graduate from LDC category by 2026, we count on full potential of trade based on productive sectors as an engine of sustainable development,” Prachanda added.
He expressed thanks for India’s continued support through the unhindered supply of goods, medical supplies and anti-Covid vaccines and for post-earthquake recovery.
Mentioning the joint development of hydropower projects and electricity trade, he said the move will “unleash further economic potential” between the two neighbors. “Based on the Joint Vision, we can further explore power trading on a regional basis including under BBIN framework.
Referring to the boundary issue, he said” There are some issues left by history that need to be addressed in good faith to fully realize full potentials of Nepal-India relations and cooperation.
“The matters related to 1950 Treaty, boundary and EPG report need to be resolved through diplomatic efforts and dialogue. In the spirit of good neighborliness, we can make our relations problem-free,” he added.
“The commonalities between Nepal and India and extent of engagements have created a synergy for a robust interdependence. We must capitalize on these enablers to ensure that the cooperation bears fruits for people of both countries. Goodwill, trust, understanding, equality, mutual respect and benefit should continue to underpin our relationship,” he said.
On Sunday, Nadda said that he held discussions with Prachanda on ways to strengthen the age-old cultural relationships including party-to-party engagements, under the party’s ‘Know BJP’ campaign, launched to engage with political parties across the world.” (UNI)
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