KATHMANDU, Sept 12: The main opposition CPN-UML has urged Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal not to do anything during his upcoming visit to India that would lead to escalation of foreign concerns in Nepal's internal affairs. 

Top UML leaders, including party chairman and former PM KP Sharma Oli, senior leaders Madhav Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, met PM Dahal on Sunday morning and handed him a memorandum ahead of his visit to India.

  The UML has suggested to PM to raise Nepal's concerns over the structures built by India along the border between the two countries ignoring international law and norms, which has led to the problem of inundation and floods in Nepal.

The UML has also urged the PM not to reach an agreement on petroleum pipeline accepting conditions that would ultimately increase Nepal's fuel dependency with India.

The main opposition wants the government to keep the option to import fuel from other countries open while negotiating the terms for petroleum pipeline.

Likewise, the UML has also urged the government to take final decision on preparing detail project report (DPR) for the Mahakali Treaty only after broader consultation within the country. The UML has suggested government consider the issues of having equal share in water resources, ensuring proportionate investment benefits ratio and ensuring no reduction in electricity production ahead of finalizing the DPR.

The UML has also asked the government get a clear understanding of the Indian support in the construction of the Postal Highway and inform the Indian side that Nepal would build Kathmandu-Tarai Fast Track using its own resources.

The main opposition has also asked the government to make Nepal's stance clear on revising the 1950 Treaty and correspondences made in this regard.

In the six-point memorandum, the UML has advised the PM to pay close attention to Nepali people's view on Nepal-India relations and protect national interests on every issue.

The UML also wants the PM to push for the implementation of agreements and understanding signed between Nepal and India during PM Oli's India visit.

PM Dahal, who is visiting India from September 15 to 18, is expected to have high-level meetings in New Delhi on September 16.

According to leaders, PM Dahal, receiving the memorandum, assured UML leaders that he would not do anything hurting Nepal's national interest.     

 
• cpn-uml
 
• prime minister pushpa kamal dahal
 
• nepal's internal affairs
 
• india visit