Remarkable agreement
The Himalayan Times
29
July 2014
Remarkable agreement
Apropos of the news story “Nepal high on India’s priority: Swaraj” (THT, 26 July, Page 1).
After long time, it seems that India has realised Nepal’s strategic importance in the regional
peace and stability. It is, indeed, a
welcome statement made by the visiting Indian Minister for External Affairs
Sushma Swaraj. However, there are a number of issues that India has to come forward with open heart to
amicably resolve as a good and sincere neighbour. She has shown some indication
that India seems serious about what it says.
There are a number of age-old bilateral
agreements that may need detailed review and to revisit by both countries in
order to meet the demands of the 21st century. The importance given
by the India’s new government on these issues seems
praiseworthy. Nepal should grasp this opportunity to sort out
the weaknesses included in these bilateral agreements and amend to suit present-day
requirements. That requires a lot of home works on our part. It is hoped that
the concerned authorities will definitely look into these maters seriously and
sincerely so that Nepal would get maximum benefit out of it.
The Joint Commission (JC) meeting held
after 23 years in Nepal has its own importance in terms of coming to an
agreement on broad five clusters: political, security and border issues,
economic cooperation and infrastructure, trade and transit, power and water
resources and culture and education.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
