PM Koirala’s India Visit Call For New Vision

By Prem N. Kakkar

PRIME Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has struck a positive note. Prime Minister Koirala’s visit must be taken as a important thrust in strengthening ties between Nepal and India. This visit is also significant in the sense that visits at this level have come after a long gap. It is four years since a visit at the Prime Minister’s level has come about.

Exemplary

Nepal and India share many commonalities as they belong to the South Asian region. The age old ties have been there to consolidate our friendship to an exemplary one. But times change and newer perspective has to come about for making the relationship more meaningful and fruitful.

Both the countries share a common open border which has facilitated the movement of people. This very fact shows that both the countries are considerate of the strong relations that exist. But the complexities of the modern times add new challenges which have to be taken seriously.

Prime Minister Koirala prior to his departure for New Delhi for the visit has rightly said that the visit was to strengthen the age old cordial and friendly ties subsisting between the two countries with similar religious, cultural and social traditions. Herein it may be worthwhile remembering that he had first paid an official visit to India as the first popularly elected Prime Minister in 1991.

In the past ten years since the ushering in of the multi-party polity many changes are evident not only within the country but worldwide. The clamouring for trade liberalisation and privatisation aspects have brought bilateral relations on newer grounds. The thrust is now for greater cooperation among the nations and it is more so with neighbouring countries. The formation of SAARC was a major initiative of the South Asian countries to come to a common platform to clear the path for regional cooperation for the common good.

Despite the slow pace, there have been some positive outcomes. It is a matter that rests on the mutual understanding and cooperation of the member nations. In this respect, Nepal has not lagged behind in advocating the thrust for regional cooperation as all the countries in the region face similar challenges.

As part of the confidence building measure, Prime Minister Koirala’s visit must be taken seriously. It is a time to renew friendship and elevate it to a higher level. Before embarking on his visit to India, there was a lot of discussion with the leaders of all the parties so that a national consensus could emerge. This is one of the highlights and an important one.

It is not mincing words when Prime Minister Koirala, speaking at the dinner hosted in his honour by India Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, said that it is time for Nepal and India embark on a new vision of mutually beneficial cooperation that goes beyond the traditional thinking. This is the reflection of new initiatives that has to be taken to take Nepal-India ties to a more rewarding level.

The new millennium has more challenges to offer than the previous one. Mutual respect and understanding has to be given more emphasis. Living in isolation does not benefit anyone. Mutual cooperation is the key word for development. In this respect, bilateral relations must be friendly and cordial.

Taken in this light the remarks of Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee, in an interview with Nepal Television, sheds light on the way India treats its relations with Nepal. Prime Minister Vajpayee has laid stress on maintaining strong ties with Nepal. This is quite a reassuring gesture.

Despite the existing friendly relations, there are always problems that stand between neighbours but there is always a solution when both sit down to sort them out. Nepal has always maintained a position in which problems, if any, has to be sorted out through talks.

Prime Minister was very forthright in saying that relations in totality are to be discussed during his visit to India. This speaks for the fact that this visit is taken to pave the way for further strengthening of ties between the two nations. India as an emerging world power can do much in the realms of mutual cooperation. As a member of SAARC, it has to offer its hand of cooperation to see that South Asia itself emerges as a prosperous region.

That the visit comes after four years at this level, there are hopes pinned on the outcome of which indications are already there. Nepal and India have both reiterated their firm commitment to further cement the bonds of friendship existing between the two countries. Talks being the best medium for sorting out differences, this visit has provided the forum and optimism is in the air.

Optimism

Prime Minister Koirala is presenting his views is guided by national interest. With this there is every reason to be assured that the coming days will see more positive actions in making the relations more meaningful and fruitful.

Other Stories

• Naga Panchami: Some Popular Legends