The understanding was reached during official bilateral talks between Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala and Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who arrived in Kathmandu on a three-day official visit starting Friday. [break]
“The deputy prime minister and foreign minister [Koirala] raised the encroachment of Nepali soil [by India], including in Susta and Kalapani,” Dr Chiranjibi Nepal, Koirala´s advisor who attended the meeting, told myrepublica.com about the talks between the two foreign ministers.
Nepal has voiced its concern over border issues and encroachment of Nepali territory at a time when the main opposition party UCPN-M has been launching protests against alleged Indian encroachment. Maoist leaders, including Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, visited the encroached territories and organized protests Monday.
Meanwhile, Krishna raised the issue of security and terrorism with priority during his one-hour meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kurmar Nepal at the latter´s official residence at Baluwatar.
“We discussed security issues of our neighborhood. We wanted, especially, to reference with terror and instrumentalities of terror. These terrorists find safe haven outside. So all these issues did come up,” Krishna said about his discussion with the prime minister.
He further said the prime minister assured that Nepal would not allow its soil to be used against its neighbors, including India.
“We are satisfied [with the prime minister´s assurance],” Krishna, who is the highest ranking Indian leader to visit Nepal after the incumbent government came to power last May, told journalists after his talks with the prime minister.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Koirala and Krishna also discussed reviewing the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty between the two neighbors. “Times have changed since the treaty was signed. The treaty is not relevant now. So it should be reviewed,” Koirala said.
“India is positive towards our proposal to review the treaty,” Koirala told journalists after her meeting with her Indian counterpart at Dwarika Hotel. “We have directed the foreign secretaries to move toward making preparations for reviewing the treaty.”
Some political parties have been demanding that the treaty must be updated, arguing it was unequal. But there is no consensus among political parties within Nepal on how it should be reviewed.
Koirala said that cross-border crime, arms smuggling, human trafficking, smuggling of narcotic drugs and money laundering featured during the bilateral talks.
Meanwhile, upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Krishna said he has come to Nepal because Indian foreign policy gives topmost priority to India´s relations with Nepal. He further said his visit will further the existing bilateral relations.
India to give additional 30 MW electricity
During Krishna´s meeting with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, India expressed its readiness to give 30 MW of electricity to mitigate the power crisis in Nepal, said Rajan Bhattarai, foreign affairs advisor to the prime minister.
“India is positive to give 30 MW electricity but we have requested 30 MW more. India is positive to our request for additional power supply,” said Bhattarai.
Four MoUs signed
Nepal and India signed four memorandums of understanding on an Indian grant for strengthening road infrastructure in the Tarai area, establishing a Nepal Bharat Maitri Science Learning Center, electrification of five village development committees and upgrading the Nepal Stock Exchange Limited.
Krishna meeting Prez, Koirala, Dahal
Meanwhile, the visiting Indian Foreign Minister is calling on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, UCPN-M Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday.
kiran@myrepublica.com
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