|
Friendship Matters
Welcoming Nepalese prime minister Koirala at airport, Indian prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh underscores warm friendship
By A CORRESPONDENT
Warmly receiving Nepalese prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the Indira Gandhi International Airport , Indian Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, an internationally respected economists, demonstrated the new warmth in India ’s policy towards Nepal .
Despite cautious response by leaders of his own seven party alliances, intellectuals, Maoists and other intellectuals over the visit at this juncture when his health is not well, the initial warm response shown by Dr. Singh gave some positive signals.
After receiving the US president George Bush at the airport, this was the second time when Indian prime minister Dr. Singh came to the IGI Airport in New Delhi to receive his guest, Nepalese prime minister Koirala. “You are a great leader in the entire South Asia . There is no one like you,” said Dr. Singh welcoming Koirala, 84, who has spent almost all his life in a democratic struggle.
“The visit has got a flying start already. This had never happened except of course with George Bush, the US president. There is no doubt that the visit has started on a spectacular note,” said finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, a member of Koirala’s entourage, remarking on the warm reception of Koirala.
It is a traditional and usual practice to choose India as a first destination to visit but what was unusual this time was the timing. Earlier, Koirala was reported to be planning to go to Bangkok for his health check up but the program for health check up was cancelled at the last minute to pave the way for four-day ‘goodwill’ visit to India .
Even the date of the visit was not debated in the meeting of seven party alliance. Most of SPA leaders knew it through the newspapers. “I knew about the India visit by prime minister through newspapers,” said Narayan Man Bijukcche, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party.
Dominated by communist parties, which are ideologically hostile to India , leaders of seven parties spared no time cautioning Koirala against signing any agreement with long-term implications. From Maoists to other left and right parties, all held similar views.
“This is going to be my goodwill visit to India . I expect certain immediate relief from Indian side,” said prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, before embarking on his tour.
“When we visited India with interim prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai in 1990, we were completely put in dark on many sensitive issues,” said former minister and politburo member of CPN-UML Sahana Pradhan. “Girijababu must avoid that kind of situation,” she said. In a meeting of seven parties, Koirala reportedly assured the political leaders that he would not sign any agreement with long-term implications in Nepal ’s national interest.
“This is going to be just a goodwill visit and it will focus more on economic agenda particularly related to infrastructures and economic development,” said finance minister Dr. Mahat. It was interesting to see this time how all the political forces including Maoists came out with warnings to Koirala not to make any deal with India . “I have told prime minister Koirala not to ink any deal with India without solving ongoing problems,” said Maoist leader Prachanda in his interview with BBC Nepali Service.
In the context of growing influence of radical forces in Nepal , India seems to be worried about the situation. Unlike expectation of Nepal ’s communist leaders, prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala will seek support of India to bring the long-lasting peace in Nepal which will ultimately be in the long-term interest of India also. So this visit is more focused on security concerns of India in Nepal rather than signing any agreement of long-term interest.
Along with economic package and support to build the infrastructures, prime minister Koirala will seek support of India on Constituent Assembly, peace making and decommissioning of Maoist armed groups. All these are vital concerns for both the countries. Likewise, reports have said that the Nepali side would be seeking Indian assistance package of Rs 75 billion – Rs 15 billion a year for 5 years. This package includes concessions in trade and investment and appeals for investment in hydropower projects and roads.
|
