Visiting Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, ‘Prachanda’, today with his Indian counterpart about political process in the Himalayan nation, security, development projects and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
The two leaders stressed the need to ensure that the open border is not allowed to be misused by unscrupulous elements posing security threats to either side. Both committed to not allow their territory to be used against each other.
The India- Nepal Trade Treaty would be renewed in October 2016 in terms of provisions of the Treaty, with the aim of enhancing the bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to hold civil aviation talks to discuss air services matters, including request for additional air routes.
Prachanda arrived in New Delhi yesterday (Sept 15) on a four-day visit. This is his first foreign visit after taking over the reins of Nepal for the second time last month. He was given a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“Our friendship is time-tested & unique. We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other’s achievements,” he said. He said that as neighbours the focus should be on peace, stability and eco-prosperity.
Modi complimented Prachanda on “strengthening democratic institutions in Nepal.”
The Prime Minister also spoke about security in both the countries and development projects.
Delhi has made it clear that Nepal’s Constitution making process is an “internal issue” which the Nepalese citizens will decide and that India has never been “prescriptive”.
Prachanda conveyed to his hosts the efforts his coalition government is making to take all sections of Nepali society on board for the effective implementation of the Constitution. Modi welcomed these efforts and wished him every success in this endeavour.
The two Prime Ministers agreed that expeditious action should be taken to implement mutually agreed projects in the identified sectors for post-earthquake reconstruction in accordance with the bilateral MOU signed in February 2016. Modi agreed to extend assistance to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) of Nepal. Appreciating Kathmandu decision to grant NRs 3 lakh to each beneficiary for reconstruction of houses, Government of India conveyed that it would increase its contribution for 50,000 households from NRs 2 lakh to NRs 3 lakh. For this purpose, US $ 50 million will be drawn by the Government of Nepal from the LOC of US $ 750 million for post-earthquake reconstruction.
Nepalese leader expressed concern over his country’s growing trade deficit with India and underlined the need for taking measures to enhance Nepal’s exports to India. Both Prime Ministers agreed that the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) on Trade, Transit and Control of Unauthorized Trade will discuss ways to boost bilateral trade, at the Secretary-level in June 2016, and agreed that the IGC will continue to discuss trade infrastructure and trade facilitation related measures to boost bilateral trade.
Addressing the Nepalese diaspora at an event, Prachanda said the top focus of his dispensation was to create the “right atmosphere” before the implementation of the Constitution and pave the way for necessary amendments.
“Till the time we don’t take the Tharus, Madhesis and Janjatis into confidence and address their legitimate demands, the atmosphere cannot be created for implementation of the new Constitution,” he had said.