“ India Remains Committed To Supporting All Efforts Aimed At Peace, Democracy And Development In Nepal ”

Pranab Mukherjee

Pranab Mukherjee, the External Affairs Minister of India made a short visit to Nepal on December 17. On the same day before he returned to New Delhi, Mukherjee made a statement and answered to media queries. Excerpts of the statement and his replies:

On His Visit

I am privileged to be the first Union Minister from India visiting Nepal after the far-reaching political changes that were ushered in by the people of Nepal earlier this year. Since then, the people of Nepal , through their political leaders, have successfully taken a number of steps to consolidate peace and democracy, in the form of various understandings and agreements. This has amply proved that the people of Nepal , who have taken their destiny in their own hands, can successfully address the challenging tasks ahead.

My visit to Nepal is in the context of the forthcoming 14th SAARC Summit, which will be held in New Delhi on 3-4 April 2007. I called on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. G. P. Koirala, and handed over to him the invitation from our Prime Minister to attend the Summit . 

During this meeting, we also recalled the landmark visit of Prime Minister Koirala to Delhi in June this year. We discussed the progress in implementing the decisions taken during that visit.  The economic package that was announced during that visit has been largely implemented. There have been some other requests for assistance in terms of logistical equipment and I was happy to inform Prime Minister Koirala our agreement to provide these also.

Today, when Nepal stands at the threshold of a new and brighter future, India , as always, remains committed to supporting all efforts that are aimed at achieving peace, democracy and development in Nepal .

On Not Meeting With Maoists:

There is no question of untouchability. We have welcomed the decision of the Maoists to join the mainstream of national politics and it is a very wise decision. But when the representatives of the Government come, we speak with the persons who are in the political system in the Government. And, therefore, these are the Government meetings and we are not meeting those political party leaders who have not joined the Government. The moment the Maoists join the Government, there will be no question of not meeting them.  It is not a question of untouchability.  We have already welcomed their decision and we do consider it is a very wise decision.

On Interim Constitution:

We are not to make any comment.  It is for the people and political parties of Nepal to decide what type of constitution they will have.  So far I understand, these are the transitory provisions. And once the Constituent Assembly is constituted through free and fair elections and after the Constitution making process is complete in the Constituent Assembly, these transitory provisions will not be there.

On Maoists Joining The Government

I do not think that their joining the Government here and joining the mainstream of the national politics would also encourage the extremists and Maoists in other areas to join the national mainstream of politics. And, in fact, in India we had it. Mizoram is one of the examples. AGAP is another example in Assam .  Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram. They were extremists. We entered into dialogue with them; they joined the mainstream of the national politics and till today they are running the Government there.  This is always encouraged.

On Mahakali Treaty:

When I came here in 1996, I initialed the Mahakali Treaty and after that it was formally signed by the two Prime Ministers. At that point of time, India ’s Prime Minister was Mr. P.V. Narsimha Rao and Nepalese Prime Minister was His Excellency Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba.  There were some problems and the process was little, I would not say disturbed, it did not get necessary momentum. So far Pancheshwor Project is concerned, we have, both the sides have, discussed it during the recent visit of Nepali leaders.  A detailed project report will have to be prepared and we are awaiting note from the Nepali side and once it is decided, then the technical team will come and they will have discussions with their counterparts here and the process will continue.

On Logistical Support:

Firstly, there are requirements of some vehicles and some communication equipment. We have already agreed to provide 200 vehicles for the mobility of police force and also the communication equipment.  In addition to that, for the use of the Nepali Armed Police, we have requested the Inspector General (IG) to come to India and discuss with his counterparts and identify the type of equipment and facilities they would like to have and we will be glad to provide them.

On Use Of Ex-Gurkha As Arms Monitors: 

It is for the Government of Nepal to decide and if they want to recruit them as helpers to the Monitors, I think it would be a good suggestion. But after all, the decision is to be taken by the Government of Nepal.

On Bhutanese Refugees:

I am aware of this problem. It is going on for quite sometime.  We have always encouraged both Bhutan and Nepal Governments to engage in bilateral talks and to resolve this issue and we still hold that view.

On Not Meeting With The King:

So far the situation prevails after 1st February 2005 and subsequently in April 2006 you are fully aware of it.  We go by the desire of the peoples reflected in the form of the Government of the country concerned.  Therefore, we have decided to meet the leadership of the political establishment as it exists today.

On Changing Political Scenario:

We have discussed the developments which are taking place. But, as we have mentioned repeatedly that here we go by the decision of the people of Nepal as reflected through their political parties and Government.  Therefore, whatever they feel proper and just we stand by that.

On Charges Of ISI Activities: 

So far ISI activities and fake currency circulation are concerned, these are the issues which we take seriously and we take it up with the appropriate authority.  And whatever preventive measures are required from our side, we will take those preventive measures to checkmate these undesirable developments.

On 1950 Treaty:

In these meetings, we did not discuss about the revision of the Treaty.  However, at some point of time there were some discussion and we are always prepared to talk about it.