India's serious concerns over Maoists' growing activities against it, including attacks on its diplomats and threats to joint ventures in Nepal, were Friday raised by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during his meeting with the former rebels' chief Prachanda.
At the meeting, which came on the last day of the Indian minister's three-day visit to Nepal, Krishna conveyed New Delhi's strong security concerns.After their talks, the UCPN-Maoist chief said he told Krishna his party had no anti-India policy and asked New Delhi not to view Maoists in that light.However, he claimed that anti-Indian sentiments in Nepal were due to New Delhi's "interference" in its internal affairs.
At the meeting, which came on the last day of the Indian minister's three-day visit to Nepal, Krishna conveyed New Delhi's strong security concerns.After their talks, the UCPN-Maoist chief said he told Krishna his party had no anti-India policy and asked New Delhi not to view Maoists in that light.However, he claimed that anti-Indian sentiments in Nepal were due to New Delhi's "interference" in its internal affairs.
Krishna and Prachanda also discussed Nepal's peace process, Constitution-drafting and army integration.Prachanda said he told Krishna that he had been trying his best to forge consensus among political parties to accomplish these tasks.He said their meeting also covered issues like national security and economic ties, with both sides highlighting the need to maintain cordial Indo-Nepal ties.
Krishna later told reporters that he had a "free and productive meeting" with Prachanda and "they exchanged views on the peace process and various other relevant issues."Prachanda assured him that he would cooperate with India, Krishna said, adding the Maoist chief sought New Delhi's continued support to bring the peace process to a logical conclusion.He said that he raised the issue of anti-India rhetoric with the Maoist leadership and told Prachanda that it is necessary to respect the sanctity of diplomats.
When Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood recently visited Kailali, Gulmi and some other districts outside Kathmandu to hand over Indian-aided projects in the fields of education, health and drinking water, local Maoist cadres waved black flags, shouted anti-India slogans and tried to disrupt the programmes.In some places, where various roads and bridges were constructed under Indian assistance, the Maoists defaced the Indian national flag.Ahead of Krishna's visit that began on Wednesday, Maoists also stormed a meeting of Indian infrastructure company GMR, which is working on a hydropower project in Nepal.
Wrapping up his visit, Krishna said that India wanted to see a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal and voiced confidence that this country's peace process and Constitution- drafting would be completed within the deadline of 28th May.There were positive feelings among all political leaders regarding the peace process and they would like to see it and Constitution-drafting completed on time, Krishna told reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu before his departure for home.To a question, he said the leaders of political parties in Nepal need to sit together and sort out differences if they had any.Krishna said that more investment would pour from India provided a conducive and friendly atmosphere is created for investors.India with its nine per cent growth rate wants its neighbours to benefit from its development, but a favourable climate must be created for that, he said.
On his meetings with President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Krishna said the talks were "useful and cordial." "I conveyed our serious concern on the attacks on our Ambassador, which is completely contrary to the rich tradition of hospitality that Nepal is known for and requested Government of Nepal to provide adequate safety to Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises in Nepal," Krishna said.
He said Adhikary assured him that his government would ensure the safety of Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises in Nepal. "The Nepalese leadership briefed me about the internal developments in Nepal and about the efforts being made towards completing the peace process and drafting of the new Constitution in Nepal."
"India has an abiding interest in the success of Nepal's transition to inclusive, multi-party democracy and the completion of the peace process. A peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nepal is in the interest of the Nepali people, of India and of our region," he said.
Krishna said India is committed to assisting the government and people of Nepal in these processes of historic change in this country."I emphasised the need to complete the peace process at an early date and that it was essential to move ahead with resolution of other political issues. I was assured by the Nepalese leadership that they recognised the crucial importance of preserving the professional integrity and apolitical nature of the Nepal Army," he said.
Krishna later told reporters that he had a "free and productive meeting" with Prachanda and "they exchanged views on the peace process and various other relevant issues."Prachanda assured him that he would cooperate with India, Krishna said, adding the Maoist chief sought New Delhi's continued support to bring the peace process to a logical conclusion.He said that he raised the issue of anti-India rhetoric with the Maoist leadership and told Prachanda that it is necessary to respect the sanctity of diplomats.
When Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood recently visited Kailali, Gulmi and some other districts outside Kathmandu to hand over Indian-aided projects in the fields of education, health and drinking water, local Maoist cadres waved black flags, shouted anti-India slogans and tried to disrupt the programmes.In some places, where various roads and bridges were constructed under Indian assistance, the Maoists defaced the Indian national flag.Ahead of Krishna's visit that began on Wednesday, Maoists also stormed a meeting of Indian infrastructure company GMR, which is working on a hydropower project in Nepal.
Wrapping up his visit, Krishna said that India wanted to see a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal and voiced confidence that this country's peace process and Constitution- drafting would be completed within the deadline of 28th May.There were positive feelings among all political leaders regarding the peace process and they would like to see it and Constitution-drafting completed on time, Krishna told reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu before his departure for home.To a question, he said the leaders of political parties in Nepal need to sit together and sort out differences if they had any.Krishna said that more investment would pour from India provided a conducive and friendly atmosphere is created for investors.India with its nine per cent growth rate wants its neighbours to benefit from its development, but a favourable climate must be created for that, he said.
On his meetings with President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Krishna said the talks were "useful and cordial." "I conveyed our serious concern on the attacks on our Ambassador, which is completely contrary to the rich tradition of hospitality that Nepal is known for and requested Government of Nepal to provide adequate safety to Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises in Nepal," Krishna said.
He said Adhikary assured him that his government would ensure the safety of Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises in Nepal. "The Nepalese leadership briefed me about the internal developments in Nepal and about the efforts being made towards completing the peace process and drafting of the new Constitution in Nepal."
"India has an abiding interest in the success of Nepal's transition to inclusive, multi-party democracy and the completion of the peace process. A peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nepal is in the interest of the Nepali people, of India and of our region," he said.
Krishna said India is committed to assisting the government and people of Nepal in these processes of historic change in this country."I emphasised the need to complete the peace process at an early date and that it was essential to move ahead with resolution of other political issues. I was assured by the Nepalese leadership that they recognised the crucial importance of preserving the professional integrity and apolitical nature of the Nepal Army," he said.
Both Yadav and Khanal expressed deep appreciation for India's support to Nepal's peace process and emphasised that New Delhi must continue to play a supportive role for consolidation of democracy in Nepal, the minister said.On his talks with leaders of various political parties, he said they stressed their commitment to good relations between Nepal and India."I assured all the leaders of the strong commitment that India has for a stable, prosperous and democratic Nepal and our support to the Constitution-drafting process while strengthening the democratic institutions and an inclusive democratic process," Krishna said.He said the Nepalese side agreed that India's continued assistance was vital for Nepal's economic development and assured him that all required assistance to ensure timely completion of the projects and adequate security to Indians working on them will be provided."I conveyed to the leadership of Nepal that they must develop an environment of trust and confidence to attract investment from India and Indian investors, who provided capital and employment opportunities in Nepal, should be given all due protection," the minister said.He said he told the Nepal leadership that formalisation of the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement at an early date would go a long way in building investor confidence.
Krishna said Premier Khanal assured him that Nepal would address all of India's security concerns and would not allow its territory to be used for any anti-India activity."The Nepalese side also conveyed that the revised Extradition Treaty and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty were pending approval," he said.
The minister said he stressed to the Nepalese leadership that it is essential to formalise the boundary strip maps for agreed sectors of the India-Nepal border covering 98 per cent of the total boundary, which had been initialed by Surveyors General of both the sides. This would create a better frame of reference for boundary management."I conveyed to the Nepalese leadership that terrorism is a common threat to India and Nepal and our security concerns are interlinked because of an open border. We are also concerned about smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) to India through Nepal."
"I also stressed the importance of the early formalisation of the revised Extradition Treaty and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that have been pending for over six years" to enable better coordination and cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries, Krishna said.
He said he was convinced of the significance and great potential of India-Nepal ties, which is heightened in these times of rapid change. "Relations with Nepal are and will continue to be a matter of the highest priority for India."
Before concluding his visit, Krishna inaugurated the new Chancery building at the Indian embassy in Nepal and visited Birgunj, a southern Nepalese town, where he laid the foundation stone for an Integrated Check Post being built at the cost of Rs 137 crore under Indian assistance.
He also laid the foundation stone for the first phase of a 53-km Terai Fast Track road being built under Indian economic aid which has a total outlay of Neplai Rs 1,100 core.
These projects are extremely important to build Nepal's connectivity at international level and enhance its physical infrastructure, Krishna said
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