Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna conveyed his country´s displeasure to the Maoist leadership during his stay in Nepal as the campaign is aimed at India. [break]
“I did convey to him [Pushpa Kamal Dahal], based on reports and the Maoist statements in the last ten to twelve days. So I registered that India would like to continue good relations with all political parties, including Maoists,” Krishna told journalists at the Tribhuvan International Airport before flying to Delhi after his three-day official visit to Nepal, Sunday.
During his visit, Krishna held talks with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Dwarika´s Hotel. He also met Maoist leaders Dr Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha at the India House Lainchaur, Kathmandu.
India´s discontent with the Maoists comes at a time when the Maoists have been launching a nationwide awareness campaign for "national independence" under their fourth round of protests.
On December 22, in his uncharacteristic public outburst against the southern neighbor, Dahal had accused India of being masters and announced to hold talks only with Delhi to end the political stalemate. He had also announced to lunch a nationwide awareness campaign for "national independence" then. In line with Dahal´s announcement, Maoist leaders had last week visited different sites along the Nepal-India border allegedly encroached upon by India.
India said that the Maoist allegations on India are baseless. Indian External Affairs Ministry quoting a government spokesperson in New Delhi, said Saturday that such allegations “vitiate the age-old and time-tested friendly relations” between the two countries. The spokesperson further said that Krishna told Dahal that “such baseless propaganda has a negative impact on Indian public opinion”, according to the spokesperson.
When asked about India´s relation with the Maoists, Krishna said India treats UCPN (Maoist) just like the other Nepali political parties.
“We have conveyed to the Maoist leadership that we would like to deal with them just like we deal with other political parties in Nepal with sense of respect and equality. We hope that they [Maoists] would realize the good intention of my visit,” Krishna further said.
Replying to a question whether India has preconditions for supporting any Maoist-led government in future, Krishna did not give any direct answer but reiterated that his country would continue to deal with the Maoists just like other political parties.
Meanwhile, UCPN (Maoist) Vice Chairman Shrestha reiterated that India should stop playing negative role in Nepal´s peace and constitution-writing processes. "Whatever is happening in Nepali politics at present is part of Indian design," he told myrepublica.com when asked whether the UCPN (Maoist) will change its stance on India following Krishna´s visit.
"Problems can´t be solved through diplomacy alone by holding meetings away from public eye," he said adding his party´s movement for "national independence" will continue.
"But we are open for dialogue."
Nepal, India to fight terrorism jointly
In the meantime, Nepal and India have agreed to cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism and extremism which they said are threat to both countries.
According to a joint statement issued Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala and her Indian counterpart Krishna discussed security concerns the two countries. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral security cooperation to control cross border crimes such as smuggling of fake Indian currency, human trafficking and arms smuggling.
“Both the sides agreed to take all necessary actions to preserve law and order and maintain peace and tranquility along the India-Nepal border,” said the joint statement.
Koirala and Krishna also discussed reviewing the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and directed the foreign secretaries of both the countries to review the treaty with a view to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Several Nepali political parties have been demanding that the treat should be reviewed, arguing that the document is not in Nepal´s favor.
In the meantime, India has expressed its concerns over business environment in Nepal affecting Indian investment and joint ventures. Krishna, during the meeting with Koirala, asked Nepal to address the problem “urgently and effectively”.
Krishna was the highest ranking Indian leader to visit Nepal after the Madhav Nepal´s government came to power in May last year.
Krishna said that his visit to Nepal was very “fruitful”. “It was satisfactory. I am delighted. I go back a happy man,” he said before entering the VVIP lounge of the airport.
kiran@myrepublica.com
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