Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has currently visiting India. In this regard, he has signed seven different areas of agreements with India on Thursday. The conversation held with Chandiraj Dhakal, former president of FEDERATION OF NEPALESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (FNCCI) and vice- president of SAARC Chamber of Commerce, regarding the Prime Minister’s visit to India and those agreements:
How you do perceive Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India?
After becoming the prime minister, it is a regular process to visit neighboring countries, sit down and discuss with their counterparts and promote the prospects of the two countries. Our Prime Minister is visiting India right now.
There was a lot of criticism from the media till the morning. While it is being said that there will be no agreement by India denying these things, after the talks between the Prime Minister of Nepal and India, some agreed points have come out. Looking at those things, I think that we have succeeded in advancing these problems in a positive manner.
For example India has not yet given a route to Lumbini’s Gautam Budhha Airport and when there are reports that regular air flights are not possible there, India has been positive to give a route to the airport as well. Which is a great achievement.
Another thing is that India will spend billions to transport petroleum products from Siligundi to Mechi (Jhapa) in the east and then from Amlekhgunj to Chitwan and for that India will build and pipeline and Nepal should do the internal management. I think that is also a great achievement. Because now we have huge leakages and transportation costs in petroleum products. It actually plays a big role in adjusting the price of petroleum products and on the other hand it can be a big infrastructure development.
Now there is a PPP in Lower Arun. After this, the fact that Nepal will get nearly 140 megawatts free electricity is also very positive. Earlier, Nepal’s electricity sales to India were for a short period of time, so Nepal was trying to reach a long-term agreement on electricity. That too has been successful. In my opinion, it has also guided the way for the private sector to invest in hydropower by promoting electricity and attracting new investments in Nepal.
In addition, India has agreed to use its infrastructure and land to sell electricity to Bangladesh, which is good for Nepal as well. On top of the agreement on the international payment system, students and medical groups, when Indian tourists come to Nepal, an easy way has been opened for them. In addition, India has agreed to use its infrastructure and land to sell electricity to Bangladesh, which is good for Nepal as well. Top of the agreement on the international payment system, groups seeking for treatments, students for study, and when Indian tourists come to Nepal too an easy way has been opened for them. This arrangement has solved the problem of fraud in the tourism sector as well as for Nepalese going to India when things are not allowed to come with large amounts of money at various borders.
Similarly, Nepal has been facilitated to directly use the waterways from Nepal-Bangladesh. It is thought that there will be a great help for export and import. It could be of major assistance for export and import. Similarly, cargo trains have started from India. That is also a huge achievement. And, the important aspect was the incomprehension and a kind of bitterness between the two countries on the border issue. India’s Prime Minister Modi made it clear that they agreed to address the problem of Nepal’s border region by reviewing it.
After his visit, there will be a ‘joint communication’ between the two countries. Now what are the elements included in that joint communication? Then the things become clear. However, now the signing of the seven-point agreement has proved that the things that some Nepalese are ‘concerned’ and rumors from some parties are wrong.And, there have also been reports that the small project called Fukot will be carried forward through the Arun model. I have felt that this has the potential to materialize the potential of infrastructure development in Karnali province in particular.
If all of these signed agreements with India implemented as quickly as possible, this visit cannot be described as a failure. It has direct the long-term path. I’ve realized that the hon. Prime Minister will share his views with his counterpart on contemporary issues in Nepal and make them a reality.
Basically, what issues can Nepal raise in its relationship with India and help in the development of its country by cooperating? How can relations between Nepal and India succeed?
As I told previous, the seven points that have now been signed. I think that this is also a remarkable achievement in advancing Nepal’s economy and prospects. The issue of counter value-in to Nepali products in markets hindered by the state imposing taxes from time to time, such things should not be implemented continuously. Similarly, I think Nepal should keep it in the center and create a situation to make it regular. And now there are also talks of building an industrial park in Kanchanpur within three years. It can contribute greatly to the development of the Far West.
The people of Nepal spent so much on education and health after going to India. In this way, India’s income is also connected with Nepal’s prosperity. Therefore, once the agreed principles and issues are implemented immediately, the little things should not spoil the relationship between the two countries. They said that there are problems in the border region, that they would be dealt with.
Today’s world is economic development, creation of employment opportunities, prosperity. In these things, India should show a certain kind of intimacy and harmony. These accomplishments, while demonstrating harmony, establish a foundation for moving forward. As a result, the relationship between the two countries will not only be harmonious, but Nepal will also develop.
Just as India is treating Nepal politically as a neighboring country and a good friend, in the days to come, it should further advance the economic development, the development of the industrial sector, facilitating the export of Nepali goods to the Indian market, etc. maybe
Likewise, India should move forward with an open heart with Nepal’s prosperity and infrastructure. Therefore, rather than the paper commitments made now, the door to Nepal’s prosperity will be opened by process and management. Nepal should not violate what India expects from Nepal regarding its peace, security and integrity. Nepal’s land should not be used. Both countries should be presented openly to make those things tangible.
Also, India should invest in small to big projects of Nepal. Which not only contributes to the prosperity of Nepal but also to India, and hydropower is also a suitable sector for this.
Be it by air or land in Nepal-India, the more we open the doors, the more tourism can be developed. Numerically, whether religious tourists from India or others, it can help in their situation as well.
Although one topic was not discussed, I had raised it long ago. India gives free tickets to its employees for one month in a year to go to some lands and gives some money for expenses. Nepal should also be included in that list. If that is done, even if only 10 percent of India’s millions of employees come to Nepal, Nepal’s tourism sector and development infrastructure can take a big leap.
As India also attempts to show its strong presence in the global economy, does Nepal need to proceed more intelligently with India to take advantage of it?
It applies to both sides. Having established itself as the fifth largest economy, India is seeking a place in the global community.
In such a situation, as a good neighbor country that does not want to suffer losses and non-cooperation, Nepal’s economic growth rate, increase in the status of Nepali people, access to the market and resources of Nepali industry and business in the Indian market will benefit India as well.
Since Nepal’s development is connected with India’s expectations and desires, there is no benefit to India by minus Nepal. So both countries need to understand that Nepal’s benefit is India’s benefit. Also, India should be able to easily implement what it feels.
Sometimes this leads to disagreements in the youth workforce and in the region and in the economic and geographical activities between the two countries. It should be carried out at the political and executive levels.
We represent ourselves a s good neighboring country at every point and region, So India also should to prove that it is a good neighboring country. Similarly, Nepal also has some expectations, which could be an obstacle for India’s interests. Nepal should also be serious about that.
