AIR spotlight summary on “India-Nepal Relations”
Introduction
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda visit to India is his first bilateral visit abroad after assuming office. Nepal and India relations have always been very important since Nepal is one of our most important neighbours.
Highlights of Nepal Prime Minister’s visit to India
- This is indeed a very important visit because there is a change in the government and India had very difficult time during the term of previous Prime Minister K. P. Oli when there were blockades and allegations.
- We see from both sides there is conscious and deep desire to overcome all the difficulties of the past and move ahead in the spirit of a standing state of mutual accommodation and with the realisation that both countries need each other.
- We are close neighbours connected with geography while Himalaya acts like a barrier between China and Nepal. The intensity of relationship between both the countries is like any other two countries. We have an open border, free movement of people, and Gorkha regiments of Indian Army..
India-Nepal Relationship
- Both countries have to work together to see what India needs, India’s security interests, Nepal’s economic development and prosperity and workout what we need from each other.
- India-Nepal relations are part of South Asian family and china is not a part of it. Both countries should work together to build the brand of South Asia.
- There can be problems between the neighbours as it happens everywhere, but how we solve the problem is what is required.
- The cause of concern in the recent times is the Constitution of Nepal. The new Constitution was criticised by the Madhesi Morcha led by leaders from the plains of Nepal who led the movement for blockade of economic supply lines on the Nepal-India border. There were huge loss of life and property.
- Now there seems to be a broad consensus by all political parties in Nepal. We need a consensus which is inclusive, accommodating the aspirations of all sections of its diverse society and this is a progressive step happening in Nepal.
- From India’s side any internal problem particularly in the Terai region spills over to India. So India has to be very concerned about security, law and order and stability aspect of happenings in Terai and its implications on India.
- The devastating earthquake in 2015 had affected millions of people and the $1billion assistance promised by India will be distributed now.
- Agreement on water resources, Mahakali-Pancheshwar project, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda visit to Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Project a concrete gravity dam on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power production and it supplies 1,500 megawatts of power and is very significant as Water resource development is very important for Nepal.
- Prime Minister Prachanda is making the right gesture in his second term as Prime Minister with sincerity and determination to have good relationship with India.
