New Delhi, September 15
Nepal’s new Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal Prachanda today said relations with India were ‘crucial and vital’ for the Himalayan nation, in what is seen as a clear attempt by the Maoist government to dispel the impression that it was tilting towards China.
Prachanda sought to make all right noises on his maiden visit to India after assuming office last month.The 54-year-old Maoist leader, who arrived here last evening on a five-day visit at the head of a 44-strong high-level delegation, held a series of meetings during the course of the day, discussing bilateral issues as well as international developments, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee. He also met President Pratibha Patil, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and leader of the opposition L.K. Advani.
Official sources said the floods in the Kosi, which have wrought havoc in both Nepal and in Bihar figured prominently during the discussions. Prachanda had last month blamed the Kosi treaty for the floods crisis, terming it as a ‘historic blunder’.
The two sides are also learnt to have discussed the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which Prachanda has over the past few months described as unequal. Details of the discussions between the two sides will be made available tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in an offensive to charm the captain of Indian industry, The 54-year-old Maoist leader addressed a high-profile luncheon meeting organised by the Indian Chambers of Commerce.
In a question-answer session after his address, Prachanda was asked a question, “How do you compare Nepal’s relations with India and China?” a reporter asked him.
Prachanda had courted a major controversy last month when he left for Beijing to attend the Olympics closing ceremony soon after taking oath as the Prime Minister. This had also given rise to apprehensions in India that the Maoist government was inching closer to Beijing as traditionally the first overseas destination for any new Prime Minister of Nepal was New Delhi. Prachanda immediately sought to make amends on his return from Beijing, clarifying that his first political visit would be to India in line with the tradition.
In his address to the Indian businesses, he said his government would play the role of a facilitator by creating a favourable environment for unleashing the innate creativity and entrepreneurship of the people.
