Lessons to learn
The Himalayan Times
8
August 2014
Lessons to learn
This is with
reference to the news item “On Nepal visit, Modi says ”felt as though I had
come home” (THT, 6 August, Page 5). The official visit of an Indian prime
minister to Nepal after a gap of 17 years proved to be significantly
successful and productive in terms of boosting bilateral relations between the
two republics. Therefore, it can be expected that Modi’s recent visit has laid a
solid foundation for furthering the age old political, social, cultural and
economic ties between the two countries in the days ahead.
In fact, during
the last one decade under the Congress rule in India, New Delhi used to deal with Nepal through bureaucracy and security agencies.
Nepal should not let the opportunities for development
and cooperation provided by Modi’s visit to slip, mainly in water resource,
trade, investment and infrastructure. But Nepal’s bureaucratic machinery has often failed
to utilize most of such opportunities in the past because of its age old traditional
way of handling business.
However, it is hoped that Nepali leaders
and bureaucrats have now learnt lessons and will act accordingly.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
