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Indian Foreign Minister’s Three-day Nepal Visit
BY KTM Metro Reporter in Kathmandu
On January 17, 2010, Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna left Nepal for New Delhi completing his three-day visit to Nepal. Speaking to the reporters at the airport in Kathmandu, Indian Foreign Minister has said that his visit has been successful and he has been happy with the visit at this crucial time. He has also said that India will treat all political parties including the Maoists’ equally.
In the joint statement issued in Kathmandu, both the foreign ministers of Nepal and India have agreed on ending the terrorism, and have discussed controlling fake Indian currency notes, human trafficking and smuggling of illegal arms, and have agreed on reviewing the Nepal-India Treaty of 1950, and have instructed the respective Home Minister to do home work on this issue, and also have repeated their commitment to bilateral cooperation on the hydropower sector for creating an environment conducive to the win-win situation for both the parties.
Indian Foreign Minister Krishna has met with UCPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda. After meeting with visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna at Dwarika's Hotel, Battisputali in Kathmandu on January 16, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda has said that both the Indian Foreign Minister and he have agreed on restarting the relations between Nepal and India afresh, as an environment conducive to discuss and resolve the problems has been created. Chairman Prachanda has also said that good neighborly relations between the two countries would be possible only by starting new relationship in the changed context.
Chairman Prachanda has said that his party has been calling India for reviewing old treaties, border disputes and economic cooperation anew to have a scientific base for a good neighborly relationship with India. According to Chairman Prachanda, Indian Foreign Minister is positive to this call.
Chairman Prachanda has also said that he has informed the Indian Foreign Minister that the man without the people’s mandate for the job heads the current government, however, he has stopped short of talking about the change of the government.
Some Indian newspapers have reported that in the meeting with UCPN-Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Indian Foreign Minister Krishna has talked about his deep disappointment at the baseless attacks on India by the Maoist leadership, which vitiate the age-old and time-tested friendly relations between India and Nepal and the people of the two countries, and such baseless propaganda has negative impact on Indian public opinion; he has also stressed the importance of rebuilding consensus among political parties in Nepal to conclude the peace process and to draft the new constitution within the set time frame.
The UCPN-Maoist leaders have recently visited the southern frontiers and have addressed mass rallies at the border areas, have voiced against the Indian encroachment on the Nepalese territory in the areas such as Susta, Kalapani and Laxmanpur whereas other leaders such as NC President Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal have been keeping quiet on the issues.
Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna met with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav at the official residence of the President at Shital Niwas, Kathmandu. After the meeting with the President, Indian Foreign Minister Krishna has said that he has talked about the President’s upcoming visit to India starting on February 15, 2010 at the invitation of the Indian President; he has conveyed the message and greetings of the Indian president and the people of India to the President. Foreign Minister Krishna has also said that he has talked about the writing of a new constitution and the peace process with the President.
Indian Foreign Minister Krishna has also met with NC President Girija Prasad Koirala at the residence of Mr. Koirala in Kathmandu; however, they have been shy to disclose what they have talked about.
Indian Foreign Minister has also held meetings with Prime Minister Madhav Nepal, and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and has talked about the bilateral interests.
