India, China want to develop their economies through cooperation: Dahal

Published On: September 10, 2018 06:00 AM NPT


KATHMANDU, Sept 10: Former Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared with him some issues of strategic talks he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April this year.

Talking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival from a four-day India visit on Sunday, Dahal said the two giant neighbors of Nepal are inching closer for cooperation to boost their economies.

“Modi ji shared with me the strategic issues he had discussed with Xi and said that India and China hold 51 percent shares in the world economy but it continuously declined in the past 400 years. He said that they (Modi and Xi) discussed reviving the Asian economy and civilization through cooperation between the two countries,” said Dahal.

Dahal is also expected to meet top Chinese leaders during his China visit starting from September 15, a week after his meeting with top Indian leaders. Former Prime Minister Dahal held meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Modi's chief security advisor Ajit Doval among others during the visit.

Dahal also claimed that his visit helped to strengthen the bilateral relations and implementation of past agreements between the two countries. He was of the view that a positive progress has been achieved in relations with India after the neighbor took initiatives to resolve the inundation problems in bordering areas, closing the Biratnagar field office of the Indian embassy and expediting road construction project in western Nepal as per its commitments.

“I said that Nepal has a strong government after a long time and we want development and prosperity in the country. In response, no one missed saying that they wanted a peaceful and prosperous Nepal. I found this as a positive message for us,” said Dahal.

He claimed that the focus of his all political meetings was mutual cooperation for the development of Nepal. “I clearly put forth all issues including the implementation of past agreements and commitments. I believe that the visit has created a good environment for enhancing mutual cooperation,” said Dahal.

Asked about Oli's refutation on his claim over cabinet reshuffle soon, Dahal stated that Oli's statement will be last on the issue. “What the prime minister says is the authentic information on this issue. I had just said that if a minister makes a mistake he should not remain in the post any longer. With the statement of the Prime Minister, I believe that the ministers have started doing their duties actively,” he said.

In another context, Dahal said that he is for a supplementary budget to hike the social security allowances for the elderly with the fiscal year budget not addressing the issue which was promised by the NCP during the elections.


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