KATHMANDU, Jan 31: Senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Dr. Ram Madhav has said that Nepal and India share unique relations due to civilization, cultural, and religious ties that exist at the level of people.
Addressing a program organized jointly by the Center for South Asian Studies and India Foundation on the theme of Strengthening Indo-Nepal Cultural Cooperation in the capital on Tuesday, Dr. Madhav also said that the two countries can never be separate despite occasional ups and downs at the political level. "There may be ups and downs in the relationship between Nepal and India, but our civilization, culture, and religion will never fade away," said Dr. Madhav, who previously served as General Secretary of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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While stating that India fully respects the aspirations of Nepal as a sovereign country, Dr. Madhav further said that the two countries should now work together and move towards prosperity. He also mentioned that India fully understands the dilemmas Nepal faces because of its geographical location between the two rising powers—India and China.
Dr. Madhav highlighted the need to further strengthen the cultural relations between the two countries. "A peace and friendship treaty was signed between Nepal and India in 1950. But the relationship between the two countries has been very old since centuries. The relationship between our civilization, culture, and people's level is the main aspect of Nepal-India relationship," he further said.
Federal parliament lawmaker from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Dhawal SJB Rana expressed happiness that India is making significant progress in terms of economic development. Arguing that India, as a big neighbor, should try to address the genuine concerns and issues of small neighbors, Rana said, "India should be liberal in matters such as giving Nepal an additional air entry route to Nepali airports from taking vehicles from Nepal to India in border areas. These measures will help to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries."
Also addressing the program, Foreign Minister NP Saud mentioned that cultural relations between Nepal and India are harmonious. He also mentioned that the unique bond between the people of the two countries has made the two countries close.
Dr. Nishchal Nath Pandey, director of the Center for Asian Studies, said that as India becomes the third economic power in the future and is increasingly focused on the US, Europe, and other countries, neighboring Nepal should be able to attract India's attention for its development and prosperity.
