‘India Has Shown Large Heart Towards Nepalese Concerns’
- Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav
MP MRIGENDRA KUMAR SINGH YADAV is a central committee
member of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP). Elected from the constituency no 5 of Saptari
district, former assistant minister Yadav spoke to Spotlight about the aftermath of
Nepal-India relations following the visit to India by Prime Minister Girija Prasad
Koirala. Excerpts:
How do you evaluate the recent visit to India by Nepalese Prime Minister
Girija Prasad Koirala?
Well, the visit was remarkable in the sense that India has shown
large heart towards concerns raised by Nepal. This is a major achievement. The relations
between Nepal and India was very cool before the visit of Prime Minister Koirala but it is
much warmer now. I have seen many positive outcomes of the visit.
What are the major achievements?
For instance, India agreed to withdraw additional 4 percent
Special Additional Duty (SAD) on Nepalese products. Along with trade issues, India has
also responded positively to the problems like water inundation by Laxmanpur barrage and
border disputes including Kalapani. India also agreed to complete the Pancheswor project
within few years. During Prime Minister Koirala's visit, Indian leaders have made attempts
to fulfill concerns raised by Nepal. The agreement to review Nepal-India Peace and
Friendship Treaty of 1950 is another milestone.
As a member of parliament whose constituency is affected by Koshi flood, how
do you see the commitment of both countries to accelerate the work of Koshi high dam and
Sunkoshi diversion?
We are not able to get adequate water from west-koshi canal
since our land is located at higher plains. Koshi flood is eroding land and property of
the people. The agreement to build Koshi high dam is one of the important development.
Sunkoshi diversion is another milestone issue raised during the recent visit of Prime
Minister. If we are able to construct Sunkoshi diversion project, the agriculture
production in Sarlahi, Siraha, Dhanusha and Saptari district will get a tremendous boost.
This will bring prosperity in the parts of terai. Koshi barrage has become very old now
and we need alternatives to replace it.
Then, why is the main opposition party CPN-UML and other
opposition parties expressing such negative comments about the visit?
There has been a tendency to do politics on the India-baiting slogans.
Particularly communist parties have shown that they cannot survive without raising
anti-India slogans. I am very upset to see the statement from the main opposition party
leader who still seems to harbor suspicions against our big neighbor India. I don't think
such chauvinism against India will protect Nepalese interest. Anti-Indian feeling will
harm the long term interest of Nepal.
Do you think the anti-Indian attitude of some political parties is due to
ignorance or is it intentional?
It is intentional. I have not seen political parties evaluating
India positively and objectively. There is opposition against India just for the sake of
opposition. You need to have objective out look on things. Issues should be opposed and
praised on the basis of their merits and in objective manner. Nepal is an independent and
sovereign nation, we must be treated on that ground. India has already respected Nepal's
sovereignty and independence but political parties are not tired of harping on anti-India
rhetoric.
How do you see Nepal-India relations now?
Nepal-India relation is very unique in the world as both
countries are culturally, religiously and historically linked. We are very close friends.
We need to have good relations which will benefit us both.
As an MP representing border area, how do you see Nepal-India
agreement to lend support to each other to prevent cross-border terrorism and crime?
One cannot rule out the possibility of terrorists and criminals misusing
the open border between Nepal and India. We have witnessed the cross border movements of
dacoits and other criminals. Nepal and India need to develop a mechanism to share
information regarding the criminal and other subversive activities. I think this is a good
gesture.
Terai region is severely affected by water inundation problems. What steps do
Nepal and India need to take to solve them?
Naturally, Nepalese rivers flow south causing many problems in
both the countries. We need to have joint efforts to tackle the problems related to the
flood. Prime Ministers of Nepal and India have also agreed to carry out joint efforts to
solve the problems.
Recently, the House of Representatives Human Rights Committee decided that
India should dismantle the barrage built at Laxmanpur, how do you see this decision?
It was an extreme decision. One country cannot order other
country what it should do. We have to complain about the problems of inundation but we
should not do it by taking extreme decisions. There are many channels to express our
concern. If our land is inundated by water, we can request India to look into our
problems. India will not dismantle its barrage just because a parliamentary committee of
Nepal says so. Such extreme demands could bring adverse results to Nepal. India has now
agreed to look into the concerns of Nepal.
How can terai region of Nepal benefit from the economic developments of
India?
If we increase our agriculture production and other raw
materials, we can export them to Indian market. There are also possibilities to lure
Indian joint ventures in agro-based industries. In Rajbiraj, we have an industrial estate.
Unfortunately, it is yet to function properly.
‘The Visit Was A Total Failure’
— MP SOM PRASAD PANDEY
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Human Rights
Committee of the House of Representatives SOM PRASAD PANDEY was in the news following the
call of the committee to dismantle the Laxmanpur barrage. UML MP Pandey spoke to SPOTLIGHT
in the aftermath of the visit of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to India. Excerpts:
How do you evaluate the outcome of Prime Minister Koirala's India visit ?
The visit was against the expectation of common citizens of
Nepal. Thus, the outcome of the visit is frustrating. There are many pending issues but
nothing was done to sort them out. Koirala might have got some individual benefits but
there is nothing for the nation. Koirala failed to pursue Nepalese point of view with the
Indian leaders. Bhutanese refugees, water inundation problems at Laxmanpur, review of 1950
treaty of Peace and Friendship and Kalapani remains untouched. India even ignored issue of
Bhutanese refugees from its priority. In short, the visit was a total failure.
What is a successful visit according to your definition?
Had Prime Minister Koirala been successful to impressed the
Indian sides with our priorities, it would have been regarded as a successful visit. In
the joint communique, I have not seen anything positive. In its 32 point agenda, more than
half of them are related to the Indian interest. From security perspective to the trade
and water resources, the joint statement only embraces the Indian interest.
What about the waiver of 4% Special Additional Duty that India imposed on
Nepalese exports?
I don't think the exemption will benefit Nepalese export to
India. In the name of quality control, Indian government has placed so many restrictions
to limit Nepalese export. Besides, to get the tax exemption, Nepal has been forced to
change its regulation regarding the import of vehicles to allow polluting Indian vehicles
which are not at par with the Euro standard.
Is there any security related issue in the joint communique?
Yes, India justifies its security concern expressed through Nepal Gameplan
and has forced Nepal to accept its proposal to extradite any foreigner who is regarded as
anti-Indian. Although the joint communique referred the cross border terrorism issues to
the meeting of home secretaries of the two countries, I suspect that there might have been
some understanding on security, particularly to arrest Pakistani and other nationals in
Nepal. The tightening of security at Birgunj, Jogbani, Sunauli and Kakarvitta transit
points is one of the indication how India might have extracted concession from Nepal
on security matter.
Is not the agreement of Indian side to find out solution of the issues
related to Kalapani dispute and water inundation issue because of Laxmanpur barrage
positive signs?
The response of India on Kalapani and Laxmanpur barrage is very
diplomatic as India has once again escaped from its responsibility by not mentioning
particular issues in the joint press communique. Their approach was very vague. Nepal has
been requesting India on Laxmanpur issues since 1985 and they have not expressed any
commitment on that. India has not taken the issue seriously.
How do you see the Indian response to the Bhutanese refugee problems?
I am very disappointed to see complete silence over Bhutanese
refugee issue. The past experiences have shown that refugee problem cannot be solved
without the support of India. On Bhutanese refugee problems, Nepal is the third party.
Refugees came to Nepal through Indian territory. As long as India remains neutral,
refugees cannot go back home. India is a key player in solving Bhutanese refugee problem.
What is your response to the Indian agreement to review 1950 treaty?
Prime Minister Koirala was unable to convey message of Nepalese
people to India. Contrary to our expectation, both government agreed to refer it to the
secretary level again. We have already held several rounds of talks on Nepal-India treaty
of 1950 and Nepal had submitted its own proposal of a new treaty back in 1997.
Then, how about the statement expressed about the cooperation in water
resource sector?
Even the DPR of Pancheswor project will come out a year later as
both countries have agreed to prepare it by 2001. In water resources, India has ignored
Nepal's proposal.
How do you sum up the visit then?
There is still a crisis of confidence between Nepal and India as
India still wants to linger on its problems with Nepal. It has not taken the issues raised
by Nepal seriously. I have not seen seriousness on the part of India.
What is your impression on Koshi river?
Like all issues raised in the joint communique, India wants to
exploit Koshi river for its own benefit. Although the communique has not mentioned
detailed aspects, it seems that India is now eyeing Koshi. As I told you, India is able to
get maximum benefit from Nepal but we are unable to exploit any chances to get benefit
from them. |
