Indian concern in Nepal ‘natural’

A day before the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, senior leaders of major political parties have described Indian concern in Nepal as ‘natural’ and ‘obvious’ but have also asked the government to come up with a clear view on national interests. This reaction comes just ahead of Krishna’s visit. Speaking at a programmer in Reporters’ Club on Tuesday, leaders claimed that Krishna’s visit to Nepal will have a positive impact on the status quo in statute drafting and peace process. Stating that political instability in Nepal will affect India, the leaders termed India’s interest in Nepal’s political affairs as ‘natural’ considering its concerns over security issues. Moreover, the leaders claimed that as a ‘stakeholder’ in signing the’ tripartite 12 point agreement’ in Delhi, the Indian interest in Nepal’s ongoing peace process and statute drafting was “obvious”. Co-Chairman of Madheshi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal (MJF-N) Jaya Prakash Gupta said as stakeholder in the 12-point agreement, which is the cornerstone of the peace process, the Indian interest in Nepal’s politics should not be labelled interference. “Political instability in Nepal directly affects India’s internal security, so, it’s obvious for India has an interest in Nepal” said Gupta. UCPN (Maoist) spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma, while terming Indian interest in Nepalese politics ‘obvious’, said that his party accepted India’s goodwill treatment of Nepal. “We have good relationship with India. We want to strengthen relations. During Krishna’s visit, we will try to minimize misunderstandings,” said Sharma. Nepali Congress leader and former Foreign minister Sujata Koirala expressed similar concerns and stressed on forming policies that could use Indian interests to address Nepal’s needs at the occasion. “Maintaining friendly relationship with India is in the interest of Nepal. Our country won’t benefit if it fails to do so” said Koirala. While appraising India’s contribution to bringing the Maoists to the peace process, Sujata asserted that India’s interest in Nepal’s politics was “natural and positive”. UML leader and former Home minister Bhim Rawal used the occasion to state both nations should maintain cordial relationship in light of mutual relationship between citizens of both countries and due to geographical locations of both countries. Rawal outlined that extradition treaty, cross border terrorism, fake currency racket, and aviation security are issues of mutual interest between both countries and opined that both nations should agree while securing each others interests.

The Maoist party has good relationship with India.
http://epaper.ekantipur.com/ktpost/epaperhome.aspx?issue=2042011