Prime Minister KP Oli's six-day visit to India, starting Friday, should be taken as an opportunity to look beyond few projects and agreements to further bilateral cooperation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged one billion dollars during his 2014 visit to Nepal and we have not been able to use this fund yet. It is understood that PM Oli's team will discuss the details of using the soft loan in development projects. Moreover, PM Oli and his team will also visit Mumbai to excite Indian investors to invest in Nepal. And this is a welcome step from the delegation.Though it's understood that India does not expect Nepal to make extraordinary contributions, it is still in Nepal's interest to offer India the right things and meet their interests professionally.
The visit should look into few areas of common interests that help strengthen ties between the two countries. South Asia is facing increasing threats from extremists like ISIS, and India has been working with its neighbors to strengthen fight against terrorism and anti-Indian activities to foster greater regional stability.
India's fight against fake Indian currency is an ongoing campaign. There can be a greater cooperation between the two countries to check the flow of fake Indian rupees in Nepali market, in close coordination with security agencies from both the countries.
Advances in technology have made it easier to share data and information on critical issues like climate change, flood and landslides. India and Nepal both are highly prone to natural calamities. We can certainly explore areas of cooperation on this front.
Besides, the Nepali delegation needs to openly discuss the actual cause behind the recent strains between the two countries. PM Oli and his team have to get reassurance from India that such things don't repeat in future.
The unofficial trade embargo, which started almost five months back, after the promulgation of the constitution, has incurred more economic damage than by the mega earthquake of April and May last year.
PM Oli's visit to India comes at an important time when relations between the two countries saw a low point. It is unclear what the PM and his team is ready to offer their counterparts in New Delhi. We hope that PM's visit will shine the light on Nepal's growing diplomatic professionalism and capacity.
Basnyat holds a masters degree in diplomacy and international studies
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