'Kashmir issue is bilateral; India-Pakistan should have dialogue amidst', Nepal appeals for peace, stability in South Asian region

New Delhi, August 19: “India’s move to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A of its constitution is purely a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. We believe that there should be a dialogue to resolve the issue”, said Nepal FM Pradeep Kumar Gyawali on Monday having closely observed the evolving situation in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

 

The Indian government's decision to scrap the two articles ended a special status given to turbulent Jammu and Kashmir region, which has been remaining as a disputed territory between India and Pakistan for decades.

 

 

"We have been closely following the developments in Kashmir. This is purely a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. Nepal wants to see peace and stability in South Asian region", he said.

 

"Nepali Embassy in New Delhi is in touch with those Nepali nationals residing in Kashmir," he said adding that all Nepali nationals in Kashmir were safe despite unrest there.

  

This is two days ahead of the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal for the 5th Joint Commission meeting where the two sides are supposed to focus on five major areas namely connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources sectors, culture, education and other matters of mutual interest. The two-day meeting is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on August 21 and 22.

 

"During the meeting, the two sides will review the implementation status of the bilateral agreements and projects agreed between the two head of the governments in the past”, Gyawali said.

 

India and Nepal further are also slated to discuss the prolonged delay on the part of Indian PM Narendra Modi in receiving the joint report prepared by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) which was formed earlier to recommend measures to improve Nepal-India relations.

 

The Joint Commission between India and Nepal was established in June 1987. Its meetings are held alternately in Nepal and India while, the last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in New Delhi in October 2016.