Fourth EPG meeting to be held in India in May

Published On: April 7, 2017 08:59 AM NPT


KATHMANDU, April 6: The third meeting of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations (EPG-NIR) agreed to hold its next meeting in India in late May. 

Both sides decided to hold the fourth EPG-NIR meeting in Deharadun from May 29 to 31 as India took the issues raised by Nepali side during the meeting positively.

Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Thursday, head of the Nepali delegation Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa said that the Indian side has agreed to discuss further on various issues including the controversial 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty, trade and transit between the two countries and the utilization of water resources. 

“Our talks are heading in a positive direction. As we have to study and review all treaties between the two countries within two years, we are continuing with our efforts to accomplish the tasks within the given deadline,” Thapa told media persons. 

Thapa said that the panel members from the Nepali side are planning to visit bordering areas to understand the views of the local people.  Holding talks to forge broad consensus on contentious issues between the two countries are also in the cards. 

We have raised all the issues that Nepal has with India. But as our negotiations are still underway. We are not in position to divulge all details now,” he further said. 

The joint panel is entrusted with the responsibility to make recommendations to their concerned governments after holding detailed discussion on all contentious issues between the two countries. The implementation of the EPG recommendations is expected to further strengthen Nepal-India relations.


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