UML lambasts Nepal-India joint statement

Published On: September 21, 2016 03:05 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 21: CPN-UML has expressed serious dissatisfaction over some of the provisions included in the Nepal-India joint statement issued during the India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

The standing committee meeting of the party on Tuesday criticized bilateral talks and the joint statement especially for the mention of the issue related to constitution stating that it invited unnecessary concern from India in the internal affairs of Nepal.

Likewise, UML has accused Prime Minister Dahal of converting independent foreign policy of the country into a dependent one through the provision of holding similar views on major international issues.

The UML has also expressed dissatisfaction over the agreement to set up an oversight mechanism comprising senior officials from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and the Government of Nepal to review progress of the ongoing projects under bilateral economic and development cooperation. Issuing a press release after Tuesday's meeting, the UML has said that the provision is in breach of diplomatic protocol.

The UML has also drawn the attention of the government saying that any provision of an agreement on petroleum pipeline with India should not limit Nepal's right to free trade and trade diversification.

Likewise, the standing committee criticized Prime Minister Dahal for holding meetings and making statements in India in disregard of protocol.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party condemned the bomb blasts and bomb terror in several schools in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The UML has urged the government to book those involved in such terrorist activities and make necessary security arrangements.

The standing committee meeting was called on the eve of the party central committee meeting scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Kathmandu. According to UML leaders, party Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal have presented separate political documents in the standing committee for further discussions in the central committee meeting.