KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has said that India stands ready to help build strong democratic institutions in Nepal.

Addressing the valedictory session of the 1st Nepal-India Bilateral Dialogue on Nepal and India: Exploring New Vistas in Kathmandu on Thursday, President Mukherjee also said that India welcomes the ongoing efforts of Nepal government to take on board all sections of its society for effective implementation of its constitution.

Referring to the hiccups seen in Nepal-India relations following the promulgation of the new constitution last year, the president said that there are bound to be some differences in the perception in the rich and diverse partnership that exists between the two countries. “With enlightened leadership in both countries, regular consultation, open dialogue, mutual trust and goodwill, we have managed to overcome such eventualities,” he said.

Mukherjee said that India accords high value to its bilateral relationship with Nepal in the framework of its ‘neighborhood first’ foreign policy. “India believes that for our region to reach its full potential in socio-economic development, our nations must proceed with a shared vision for peace, stability and growth,” he further said in the function organized jointly by India Foundation, Niti Anusandhan Pratisthan and Nepal Center for Contemporary Studies.

While highlighting the positive trajectory of vibrant economic transformation of India in recent years, Mukherjee argued that there is tremendous potential for expanding our cooperation in the energy and hydropower sector in the framework of Power Trade Agreement. “It is in the collective interests of populations on both the borders that our two government should work together expeditiously in the area of flood management and irrigation and proceed faster with regard to large multi-pupose projects like Pancheshwar and Sapta Koshi and Sun Koshi,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat highlighted the deep-rooted relations that exist between Nepal and India due to open border, fraternal bond and cultural and linguistic affinity. While stating that there is always scope for improvement in democratic constitution, Minister Mahat said that political parties in Nepal are working to improve the constitution. “We expect goodwill from India and the people of India for this,” he said, while referring to the efforts of the ruling parties to bring dissenting parties on board the constitution implementation process.

Dr Mahat said that growing trade deficit between Nepal and India is a matter of concern, while urging India to put greater investment, enhance connectivity and allow greater trade facilitation for Nepali products. He argued that effective implementation of Power Trade Agreement, expediting implementation of big projects like Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Upper Karnali and Arun III could help address the concern.

Dr Mahat also said that Nepal and India could work together to develop Buddhist and Hindu circuits to promote religious and cultural tourism. Arguing that destiny of Nepal and India is intertwined, he also pointed out that business as usual won’t help further the relations that have tremendous scope.

 
• pranab mukherjee
 
• democratic institutions
 
• india
 
• nepal