Nepal-Thai Ties

PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra on Monday morning appears to have been a beneficial exercise that has resulted in a wide-ranging exchange of mutual views on cooperation between the two countries. In discussing matters related to bilateral, regional and international concerns the two prime ministers were keen to further advance the Nepal-Thailand ties to a higher level. Though the two countries have enjoyed a cordial and close relationship, thanks to the common bonds of culture and tradition between the two kingdoms, as the Thai prime minister put it, there are certainly avenues of cooperation which, if properly explored, could produce further mutual benefits. It is in this light that Prime Minister Deuba's prompt agreement to give support to Asia Cooperation Dialogue, an initiative from Thailand, and indeed to participate in it, should be viewed. Nepal could benefit by associating itself to that dialogue process where Asian countries, according to Mr. Sinawatra, forge togetherness by avoiding unhealthy competition and fostering a culture of working together for mutual benefit.

It is also quite notable that Mr. Sinawatra assured the Thai support to Nepal's desire to join as a full member BIMST-EC, where Nepal currently only has an observer status. So was his categorical expression of support that Thailand would be "happy" to support Nepal in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for which Nepal is currently making preparations. This is a significant assurance in view of the fact that Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand is taking over the position of the director-general of WTO from September, 2002. No less significant was Mr. Sinawatra's stated desire to give a helping hand for peace and prosperity of Nepal in whichever way possible. This came following Mr. Deuba's mentioning how Nepal was fighting terrorism and had thanked the Thai government for the moral support provided to Nepal in this fight. But of immediate concern for Nepal vis-à-vis its ties with Thailand is the huge trade deficit in bilateral trade with that country. In the scheme of Nepal-Thailand cooperation, addressing this trade deficit must be a priority. Officials from both countries must sit together, as Mr. Sinawatra has suggested, to address this issue in the best interest of both the countries. Nepalese officials now must follow it up with an approach to the Thai government officials to discuss how the current balance of trade could be a more balanced one.

Publicise The Fest

IN keeping with a tradition going back for the last five years, a festival committee, as per a news item carried by this daily the other day, has been formed to organise an eight-day Muktinath Festival later this month. At a time when the nation's tourism activities are passing through challenging times due to unfavourable situation both at home and abroad, the news, that an eight-day Muktinath Festival is to be organised, could provide the much-needed impetus to the hard-pressed tourism sector. For, Muktinath area, from time immemorial, has been one of the major pilgrimage centres for both the Hindus and Buddhists alike. Less than a day's walking distance from Jomsom, an ancient salt-trading town and presently one of the major tourist destinations, Muktinath's main attraction to Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims is its flame that burns from a hole in the ground. Protected within the temple's inner sanctum, no one seems to know since when this flame has been burning there. Nevertheless, to the pilgrims, it is an "eternal" flame. The area's religiously surcharged atmosphere is further enhanced by its verdant surroundings-the Muktinath Temple area is the only place along the trail that is filled with trees. To the pilgrims, Muktinath area is sacred place because of the ammonites-or better known as "saligrams" by the pilgrims and venerated as Lord Vishnu's conch, one of the four symbols that the Lord holds in his four hands-that are found in abundance there. Culturally, Muktinath area is also unique in that the Thakalis, the predominant ethnic group in that area, gather there in their colourful traditional attire to celebrate their major festivals. With so much attractions concentrated in a small area, the forthcoming Muktinath Festival could be a major draw to both the pilgrims and tourists alike.
Provided, of course, the organising committee has put its publicity act together. For, without adequate publicity, it would be quite difficult for the organising committee to attain its objectives, the main being to attract more visitors from home and abroad. As such, while the need for the organising committee to publicise its forthcoming festival through the national and international mass media is always there to gain its objectives, to place the Muktinath Festival firmly in the world tourism map and itinerary, it is essential for the concerned tourism promotion organisations and personnel from both the public and private sectors to chip in with their resources and expertise.