New Delhi, June 13: The Commerce Minister of India Anand Sharma has said that the government of Nepal has failed to capitalize the soft loan aid and loan program offered by India to create infrastructures and others for the development of Nepal.
India has offered a two percent interest subvention scheme for project exports to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. Myanmar and Africa having an initial kitty of $500 million. The primary objective of this program is to help in infrastructure building and is operated by the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India to economically engage these countries.[break]
Sharma expressed the inability of the Nepali side to utilize this offer during his meeting with visiting former prime minister and senior leader of Nepali Congress Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Emerging from the meeting with Deuba, NC leader Bimanendra Nidhi said, “We have to find avenues and projects to utilize the offer of India’s Exim Bank for our national interest.”
Sharma also lamented the delay caused in issuing licenses and other procedures on 32 hydro-projects in Nepal that the Indian side has shown interest to develop. “He (Sharma) also said that some projects involving Indian investment require clearance from the government of Nepal side and has requested to expedite the process,” Nidhi added.
In addition, Minister Sharma has sought security of the Indian investors in Nepal in the light of hostile atmosphere faced by some Indian companies like the GMR involved in mega hydro-projects. Three of the offices of GMR has already faced a shut down.
Sharma has also urged Nepal to move ahead with the Amlekhgunj-Raxaul oil pipeline project, which has faced severe hurdles of late in Nepal. This has come at a time when Nepal government is mulling other options as the construction process of the pipeline has been delayed although it was agreed, in principle, to be built by India and later transferred to Nepal under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model.
In a positive note, Sharma has suggested establishing a lab within the integrated dry ports, which are being constructed by India currently, for the recognition of the agricultural products of Nepal. Deuba had brought this up during his meeting with the Indian prime minister on Tuesday. Sharma has also committed Indian assistance in the construction of a bridge on the Mahakali River to connect Mahendranagar with Banbasa. Stressing equal partnership between India and Nepal, Deuba had vowed to take up the Indian concern with all the political actors in Nepal.
Deuba, who is on a six-day visit to India, also held talks with the President of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajnath Singh, on Thursday. Singh has urged Nepali political actors to strengthen democracy, stability and peace in the country at the earliest.
“Singh said that the constitution must be written at the earliest to ensure peace and stability in Nepal,” Nidhi said after Deuba met Singh.
Deuba also participated in a closed interaction at the Vivekanand Foundation, a thinktank based in New Delhi on Thursday. Although the meeting was kept away from the media, it is learnt that the likes of former National Security Advisor Satish Chandra and former Indian Army Chief Nirmal Chander Vij had participated in the event.
Deuba also held an interaction at the Press Club of India on Thursday where questions regarding Prachanda’s China visit, the Madhesi concerns and the upcoming polls were raised.
Deuba said that Nepal has opted for an inclusive polity and through reservation it has empower the marginalized sections of the society. He also assured the inquisitive crowd of journalists that the Constituent Assembly polls will be held in November this year and that his party NC will fair very well in the elections.
Deuba also attended a dinner reception hosted by the President of Janata Dal (United), Sarad Yadav, in the evening. He is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Friday.
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