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| Kathmandu Sunday March 24, 2002 Chaitra 11, 2058. |
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India supports action against Maoists
Nepal soon to have its first dry-port operational
By Yubaraj Ghimire
NEW DELHI, March 23:Nepal and India have agreed
to combat terrorism and cross boarder crimes through enhanced co-operation and strict
vigilance on the open boarder. India reiterated its support to the measures taken by the
government of Nepal against Maoists calling them ‘terrorists’. Both countries
have also pledged that their territories will not be allowed to be used against each
other. There will be regular meetings of the two sides besides exchange of information on
cross boarder crimes and terrorism. This has been contained in a joint communiqué issued
hours after prime minister Deuba left for Calcutta thoroughly ‘satisfied’ with
his discussions with his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee, senior cabinet members
and prominent leaders of the opposition.
The delay in issuing the communiqué, according
to sources, was mainly due to differences on two sides on how to include the understanding
at the highest level on measures to neutralise the damage due to inundation of large part
of Nepali territory following construction of dams on its side by India unilaterally.
There will be a joint technical team constituted
within two weeks and based on its recommendation on how to control the damage caused by
construction on Indian side, necessary corrective step would be taken before the beginning
of monsoon.
"I had wide range of discussions with
Indian leaders including the Prime minister in a free and frank atmosphere. I am quite
satisfied with the outcome", Deuba told this correspondent before he left for
Calcutta on the final leg of his 6-days official trip, his first as Prime Minister during
the past nine months.
Mr Deuba extended an invitation to Mr Vajpayee
to visit Nepal at his convenience. Mr Vajpayee has accepted the invitation and the date
will be finalised soon, according to the official sources. Nepal will soon have its first
dry port—possibly by May—as India agreed to the time frame for inauguration of
the ICD dry-port at Birgunj linked with Calcutta port through rail-line.
"All this has already been completed and
what remains is only formal inauguration", said Minister of state for Railway,
Digvijay Singh. In a gesture of reciprocity, Nepal conceded to Indian demand that import
of Indian vehicles to Nepal would be permitted under its new emission norms on the basis
of ‘self-certification by Indian vehicle manufacturers based on Type approvals’.
India also took into account Nepal’s suggestion for writing off various taxes and
levies imposed on its goods prior to the renewal of the trade treaty recently.
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