Krishna said, “Nepal is at a critical juncture and the way forward is through dialogue and consensus.” He also expressed India´ willingness to assist Nepal. He said, “India is ready to extend cooperation in what Nepal desires.” [break]
Pointing at the larger scope of bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from hydropower and tourism to agriculture and others, he said, “We will move at a pace that Nepal wants.” He added, “We will move ahead at Nepal´s call and on Nepal´s term.”
Regarding the issue of threats faced by Indian investors in Nepal, especially in mega hydro-power projects, Krishna said, “We have full confidence in the capacity of the Nepal government to maintain law and order and protect foreign investment in Nepal.”
He was referring to the threats faced by India´s GMR Consortium from the Maoists over the Upper Karnali and Upper Marsyangdi hydro-projects.
The minister met a 12-member Nepali women journalists´ delegation at South Block in New Delhi and hailed the role played by the media in Nepal. He said, “The courage and determination of Nepali media is truly remarkable.”
The delegation also met Speaker of the Lok Sabha Meira Kumar at Parliament House. During the interaction, she expressed concern over the peace process and the uncertainty facing the drafting of a new constitution in Nepal. “We want to see peace and stability in Nepal,” she said, adding, “We would extend all possible assistance if Nepal desires.”
India to help set up security press in near future: envoy Rana
Nepal´ s newly appointed ambassador to India Rukma Shumsher Rana has said that India is not only ready to supply Machine Readable Passports (MRPs) to Nepal within the stipulated time, it is also willing to support the setting up of a security press in Nepal in the near future.
“India could help support Nepal to set up a security press of its own for the future,” Rana told myrepublica.com on Wednesday.
On the supply of MRPs, he claimed that Indian Security Printers (ISP), which has offered to supply four million MRPs to Nepal at present, is of international standard. “The ISP is as good as any other security printer in the world,” Rana said.
He added that the US$ 4 cost per piece has been determined as India needs to import the paper for printing the MRPs. Rana, however, clarified that the MRP issue is being dealt with between the foreign ministries of the two countries and the Nepali embassy has little role in this issue.
A highly placed Indian External Affairs Ministry source told myrepublica.com that the cost of $4 is less than the cost of the passports supplied in India itself.
“We do not want to compromise on the security features. The offered price is even less than what it costs in India,” the source said asking for anonymity. He added, “We are waiting for a response from the Nepal government to move ahead.”
Rana pointed out the need for political will to settle many pending issues between the two countries. “Political will is a must for the signing of both the extradition treaty and the boundary map,” he said.
He said India wants democracy to flourish in Nepal and feels that a peaceful Nepal is in its interest. “There are compulsions in our relations with India. But we must accommodate our compulsions rather than having a tit for tat attitude,” Rana added.
Stating that India has good relations with the current government, Rana said, “The Nepal government has full support from India and it has gone out of its way to help and be accommodative.”
Katawal in Delhi
Former Nepal Army chief Rookmangud Katawal is in New Delhi. Sources said he is in India for a health check-up but he has met a few Indian bureaucrats and former diplomats.
akanshya@myrepublica.com
Related story
Let’s live in peace and embrace diversity
