Indo-Nepal relations ‘age-old and multi-dimensional’; will boost ties: PM Oli
Kathmandu, April 4: Before his upcoming official visit to India, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday briefed the House of Representatives and intimated the parliamentarians on various issues to be raised during his meeting with dignitaries in India.
Stating that the starting point of Nepal’s foreign and neighbourhood policy was friendship, Oli said his India visit was also a part of the government’s endeavour to make neighbouring countries partners in Nepal’s development drive.
“To realise our national goals of development and prosperity, we’ll maintain harmonious, balanced and friendly relations with our neighbours based on mutual benefit, mutual respect, equality, non-interference, UN charters, principles of non-aligned movement and the five principles of peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Oli also made it clear that no new agreements would be signed just for the sake of it. “Rather than piling up new agreements and forgetting about them, we’ll focus on how to make tangible progress on past agreements and in areas of mutual cooperation,” he said.
According to him, talks with the Indian side during his visit will give due priority to issues related to the agricultural sector, such as agriculture modernisation and organic farming.
He added that he would explore possibilities of developing waterways and railways. “When it comes to waterways, we can ferry goods via the Ganges. Talks have already started on this front, and during my visit I’ll work to make sure the talks are expedited,” he said the Lower House.
Oli said he would try to attract investment to establish industries in Nepal with a view to minimising trade deficit by increase production and exports. Connectivity related issues integrated check posts, postal highways and cross-border railway will also be discussed to ensure swift implementation.
According to Oli, the Nepali side will also talk about SAARC and BIMSTEC, as Nepal is chair of both of these regional cooperation associations. “Such regional integration bodies can become means of easing tensions and eliminating misunderstandings,” he said, adding that talks would also be held on strengthening the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) initiative to ensure maximum benefit for all four countries in terms of connectivity, trade, health and education.
The PM also reiterated that Nepal would give due importance to addressing the legitimate concerns of India and raising issues of common concern, such as terrorism, human trafficking, cross-border crime and smuggling.
The Nepalese Prime Minister will be visiting India from Friday to Sunday on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He would also hold separate interactions with the Indian business community, Nepali community in New Delhi and the intellectual class.