Issues like border dispute and 1950 Treaty should not affect Nepal – India relations : Ranjit Rae, former Indian envoy

Though there exist certain outstanding issues like border dispute and 1950 Treaty between Nepal and India these issues should not create obstacle in mutual cooperation and friendly ties between Nepal and India, remarked former Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae.

“We might have many unresolved issues like border dispute and 1950 Treaty which need to be resolved through the means of dialogue,” said former Indian envoy Rae adding, “such issues should not affect our bilateral cooperation and economic as well as cultural ties.”

The frequent high level visits taking place between the two countries have been instrumental in easing relations between them, he pointed out. The present moment is very pleasant in Nepal-India relations, as Nepalese and Indian Prime Ministers have met each other twice within a couple of months, observed Rai speaking at an interaction programme organized by Nepal Bharat Friendship Society in Kathmandu on Friday.

The visit to Nepal’s pilgrimage sites such as Pashupati, Muktinath, Janakpur and Lumbini by Prime Minister Modi in the recent past, has helped promote Nepal’s pilgrimage tourism, pointed out former ambassador Rae.

He also advised governments of both the countries to promote regional tourism by connecting Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, all major Buddhist pilgrimage sites, for their common benefits.

With India recently granting permission to Nepal to sell 364 MW electricity to its free market will open up door for economic prosperity to Nepal, pointed out Rae adding Nepal will earn a huge foreign currency through this.

“Nepal India relations are multifaceted and very unique and both the countries can work together to overcome their common challenges including poverty and inequality,” remarked Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament and former Union Minister of India. “The two countries should work together and collaborate for common economic programme utilizing their economic resources for socio-economic development,” pointed out senior BJP leader Prabhu. The programme was chaired by Prem Lashkery, chairman of Nepal Bharat Friendship Society.

By Reeta Basnet