Gesture of Goodwill
INDIAN Minister for External Affairs and
Defence Jaswant Singh concluding his three-day goodwill visit to Nepal returned to New
Delhi the other day. During his stay in Kathmandu, Indian External Affairs Minister Singh
had an audience with His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and met with Prime
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and several senior leaders of different political parties and
discussed issues pertaining to Nepal-India relations and cooperation. Nepal and India are
close friends and their friendly relations are age-old. It is not only at the official
level but the relation at the people’s level as well are equally strong and cordial.
There are many similarities between Nepal and India. Common culture and history binds both
the nations and people together. No other countries in the world have such a unique
relation as Nepal and India have been enjoying. The exchange of visits of leaders from
both the countries have further strengthened the bilateral relations and cooperation. As
close nations, problems crop up periodically between Nepal and India. But problems have
always been solved amicably through mutual consultation. Both the countries have
understood the problems and sensitivity of each other. This has been the major
characteristic of Nepal-India relations right from the beginning. Nepal has always adopted
the policy of not allowing any activities that harm the interest of its neighbours
including India. The recent goodwill visit of Indian External Minister also aimed at
strengthening the age-old friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
There were some misunderstandings and apprehensions about the Nepal-India Trade Treaty,
which was signed five years ago. The treaty is a token of goodwill between Nepal and
India. It has incorporated provisions, which are mutually beneficial to both the nations.
One of the characteristics of the treaty is the automatic renewal in every five years.
Indian External Affairs Minister Singh dismissed such apprehensions and assured Nepal that
the fundamental tenets of the treaty would be kept intact. This is a goodwill gesture
towards a close neighbour, for which Nepal appreciates India. However, both the countries
have agreed for a meeting of experts from both sides to discuss and sort out any minor
problems in bilateral trade and other sectors. Moreover, Nepal has a huge trade deficit
with India. Against this background, any concession to Nepal would not affect big economy
of India but help narrow Nepal’s burgeoning trade deficit. Singh’s assurance to
keep the basic features of Nepal-India Trade Treaty intact is an indication that India
understands Nepal’s problems and seeks to help its neighbour.
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