Kathmandu, Sept 14:Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has said that his state visit to the southern neighbour India, beginning from tomorrow would be focused on improving mutual trust and confidence with a very good intention.
Delivering his statement of public importance regarding his India visit at the Legislature-Parliament meeting today, the PM expressed his confidence that his visit would be of help in further strengthening the relations existing between the two countries.
PM Prachanda is, at an official invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, embarking on a four-day official visit to there tomorrow.
The PM briefed the House that his visit to India would strengthen mutual trust and added that discussions would be held on developing economic and physical infrastructure projects.
“Talks will be held on immediate launching of the first phase of construction works of the postal highway, the second phase construction and the implementation of Power Trade Agreement (PTA) and Pancheshwor Project’s study report,” he said.
PM Prachanda added that immediate construction of the integrated check post at Bhairahawa and Biratnagar would take place along with the resumption of Birgunj check post. The PM informed the House that discussions and deliberations on the subject of concession would be held, cutting down Nepal’s trade deficit and completion of the cross border railway service at the earliest
The problem of flooding at Nepal-India border areas will be broached for serious discussion while an amendment related agreement paper will be exchanged for making the past agreement for using Bishakhapatanam border point suitable for contemporary situation, it is said.
PM Prachanda informed the meeting about the programmes of his India visit and about the members to be included in his delegation.
In the previous meetings, lawmakers urged the PM not to sign any deal going against the interests of the nation during his visit to the southern neighbour and to openly speak about the unequal Nepal-India treaties with his counterpart.
Prime Minister Prachanda is leaving for a four-day state visit to India at the invitation of Indian PM Narendra Modi tomorrow.
During his visit, PM Prachanda will be lodged at the Presidential Palace as the State Guest of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi.
PM Prachanda is scheduled to hold a formal meeting with his Indian counterpart Modi on Friday. On the same day, he will hold a meeting with Indian President Mukherjee and attend a welcome reception to take place at the Presidential Palace. On Friday morning, PM Prachanda will pay tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat.
The Nepali PM will also take part at a welcome reception to be organized at Nepali Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday.
During his stay in Delhi, he will hold separate talks with senior ministers of the Indian government and also interact with intellectual and business community and the Nepali diaspora.
PM Prachanda’s visit is expected to contribute towards consolidating the age old and supportive friendship between the two countries.
In a statement of public importance at the Legislature Parliament today, PM Dahal said his priority would be to build trust between Nepal and India with a good intention rather than raising many subjects and to lay stress on effective and immediate implementation of the past agreements in Nepal’s interest.
Prioritisation of agreements and talks
During the bilateral talks to be held on the sidelines of the state visit, discussions will touch on immediate first phase commencement of the construction works of a postal highway as part of the understanding reached between Nepal and India earlier and avenues of further support in the second phase.
Efforts will be undertaken for effective implementation of the Power Trade Agreement (PTA) reached earlier in connection to the support in the energy sector and quick approval of the Pancheshwor Multi-purpose Project’s extensive project report which in turn would lead up to the prioritization of the start of other works, PM Prachanda said.
The issues relating to India’s assistance in the post-quake reconstruction drive, immediate construction of an integrated check post in Birgunj, commencement of the construction of check posts in Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj as well and utilisation of soft loan announced by India for Nepal in the infrastructure development sector will be discussed during the PM’s India visit.
Possible ways for reducing Nepal’s huge trade deficit with India, possibility of the launching of trade and transit route from Gaurifanta and Dodhara Chandani, progress on a project for the construction of cross-border railway and resolution to recent inundation problems on Nepal-India border areas are viewed as the sensitive agendas set for the PM’s visit, according to the PM.
Exchange of letters
Exchange of the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) regarding cooperation between Nepal Quality Control and Measurement Department and the Bureau of Indian Standards, transport of bulk cargo into Nepal’s border via Indian territory and amendment to the existing Rail-Service Agreement between Nepal and India in order to operate the railway service to Nepal’s border from
Bisakhapattanam Port is likely to take place during the visit if both parties complete the process for internal decisions regarding these issues on time.
There will be discussions and agreement on the proposal being presented by Nepal and the proposal to be presented by India with the utmost attention towards the interests of the nation, the PM said.
He expressed his confidence that his visit would help further consolidate the bilateral ties, accelerate the past treaties and agreements by identifying new sectors of the mutual cooperation and assistance.
During the visit, PM Prachanda will inspect the Himachal Pradesh-based Nathpa Jhakri Dam as well as the industrial production unit there. The PM’s delegation will comprise Foreign Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Ramesh Lekhak, lawmakers, government high-ranking officials, media persons and representatives from the business community.
PM Prachanda is scheduled to return home on coming September 18, completing his state visit to the southern neighbour.
