According to sources, India´s Home Minister P Chidambaram during his meeting with Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Saturday has asked the latter to take firm steps to address India´s security concerns and curb counterfeit Indian currency racket.[break]
While addressing a press conference, Dr Bhattarai said the issue of fake currency is a matter of concern and that Nepalis too have a problem in this area. Bhattarai said he told the Indian home minister that Nepali laborers are being duped on the border while trying to convert Indian currency. “The matter will be taken up by joint-mechanism existing between the two countries,” he said.
Bhattarai labeled his visit “successful” claming that the visit has begun “a new chapter” in Indo-Nepal relations.
He said the agreement on protection and promotion of investment signed with India is not anti-national and that BIPPA is the need of the hour. “Everything is trust and confidence. I am extremely happy with my visit, BIPPA is in the national interest,” he said, adding,
“We are open to cooperation in all spheres of common interests. All genuine concerns of India will be addressed,” he added.
On the UCPN (Maoist)´s relation with India, he said there were some “suspicions and doubts” which the visit has offered an opportunity to clear.
Responding to a query on India´s role in Nepal´s peace process, he said, “In an interconnected world, neighbors are bound to have an impact. But the peace process is our internal matter and will be sorted out by the political parties of Nepal,” he said.
PM with Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram. (Photo: PM Office)
In addition, Nepal and India will move ahead to sign the DTA (Double Taxation Avoidance) at the earliest. The finalization of DTA, which could not be signed on Thursday, has been given a priority. Finance Minister Barshaman Pun held a meeting with his counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in this regard Saturday.
Pun said that economic cooperation between Nepal and India is important since economic development will follow after the establishment of political stability in Nepal.
“BIPPA shows our sincerity to economic development. This has been signed keeping in mind a long-term focus of 10 to 15 years,” Pun told Republica after his meeting with Mukherjee.
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“There are doubts that we might not be able to guarantee security to investors, but BIPPA shows our commitment,” Pun said, adding, “There are risks involved but we will move ahead.”
On Double Taxation Agreement, Pun said Mukherjee has assured that all technical issues will be discussed and that he will come to Kathmandu at the earliest date possible.
He also said that the new DTA will replace the DTA signed in 1987. The cabinets of both the countries are set to pass it soon. Pun said India did not respond initially before the state visit, but things will now move ahead in a smooth manner.
The two only spoke about the economic package on various projects like railways and integrated check-posts.
Pun said India is positive toward assistance in other projects included in the PM´s wish list. “India has agreed in principle to offer the assistance. Mukherjee has asked us to make a priority list for this.”
PM Bhattarai also held meetings with Defense Minister AK Antony and Prakash Karat, general secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist). The PM also attended a welcome program and a meeting organized by Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav.
The PM attended the dinner hosted by the Nepal embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Khagnath Adhikari. He is scheduled to leave for Dehradun Sunday morning.
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