'I Regard The Talks As Big Achievement'

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat has his first success as Foreign Minister when he succeeded in making significant inroads in the long stalled talks with Bhutan on the refugee issue. He is hopeful that the problem will be solved in the near future.

Dr. Mahat, a doctorate on Industrial Financing in Nepal, is regarded as an architect of Nepal’s effort towards economic liberalisation and one of the key economic thinkers of the country. The three-time Finance Minister has now been given the key portfolio of Foreign Affairs by the new majority government of the Nepali Congress.

Dr. Mahat, 48, is committed to give a new dimension to Nepal’s foreign policy which, he says, was not result-oriented for years. His successful international approach regarding the financial sector is now expected to be of a great help in shaping economic diplomacy, which has now become an inseparable part of foreign policy. Last week, Dr. Mahat talked exclusively to K. P. Sharma of the Sunday Despatch regarding the recent 8th round of talks on Bhutanese refugees and other aspects of Nepal’s foreign policy. Excerpts:

How did the 8th round ministerial level talks between Nepal and Bhutan on refugees issue conclude? And what are its achievements?

I have considered this 8th round talks on refugees problem as a gateway to our ultimate goal of repatriating the refugees in a peaceful manner. Bhutanese side, this time, has not only showed a liberal attitude regarding the second category refugees (those refugees who had ‘voluntarily’ left Bhutan and to which Bhutan had a strong negative attitude) but also has not denied Nepal’s proposal for a third party involvement. The third party can be anyone — India or UNHCR or anybody. And I regard this as a great achievement. Thirdly, it has also accepted to verify the refugees by going to the refugee camps.

Why this issue could not be finalised this time? When will the next talks be held?

There were no formal talks for nearly four years and, thus, the gap had widened. Since the issue is a serious one, it takes time to fill the gap and minimise misunderstandings. Last week’s talks has only help minimise the misunderstandings. Moreover, it has also opened a number of doors to solve the problem.

Though a formal date has not been fixed for the next round of talks, there could be discussions regarding the issue when I go to Bhutan in November to formally invite them to take part in the 11th SAARC Summit in Nepal.

How do you review the recent visit of India’s Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh to Nepal?

Indian Foreign Minister’s recent "forward looking visit" has not only strengthened the existing ties between the two countries but it has further explored the possibilities of helping each other on many developmental and other issues like import facilities, economic and cultural cooperation, development in hydro electricity and health sector. Furthermore, it has also showed ways to review the disputed Kalapani area, implementation of the Mahakali Treaty and many other things of bilateral concerns.

What was India’s main purpose behind Singh’s visit when elections are being held in India?

Basically, this was a friendly visit of the Indian Foreign Minister to Nepal and the visit has benefited both the countries. Still, the main concern of the visit was on security. India fears Nepal of becoming a transit point of its enemies to launch terrorist activities inside their country. But we have not allowed any such activities from inside our border either against India or China or any other country. And we have assured India of that. We have also alerted them against organisations in their country which have been supporting the Maoists activities here.

It was heard that the Nepal-India border issue should be seen and solved through political forum. It is now back to the technical committee? What do you say regarding this case?

Border issue is not a political problem. It is a technical problem and should be seen and solved through technical means. There should be no politicisation of this issue.

The Indian Foreign Minister said he wanted to see Nepal as an energy-exporting country. Does it mean India’s attitude towards Nepal’s hydro-power potential is changing and is India willing to help Nepal regarding this?

India can further help us in this regard. There are possibilities where India can extend its cooperation such as in the Pancheshwor project, West Seti Project, Power Trade Agreement, which is now in the parliament, and the Saptakoshi project. I also believe India wants Nepal as an energy exporting country, as said by my Indian counterpart.

What will be the main agenda of Nepal in the upcoming SAARC Summit?

The whole world is now becoming one in terms of economic activities. The concept of free trade is on the rise in the world. If Nepal is to enter into the world trade, first of all it should be prepared to go for the regional economic grouping. And thus, our main focus in the forthcoming SAARC Summit will be economic entity with the member countries. The concept of SAFTA will be pushed forward. Our another agenda is poverty alleviation and for that too, economic activities is a must.

Since you have been handling the new ministry, how do review the foreign policy of Nepal and how are you going to lead Nepal’s foreign policy into the 21st century?

Nepal’s foreign policy still lacks one important component which is ‘economic diplomacy’. Foreign policy now should be modernised and it should not only limit itself in maintaining friendly relations with other countries but it should also help a country to develop by launching economic diplomacy. My focus, thus, is not only to seek friendly relations with other countries but also inviting them to participate in the economic activities of Nepal.

Since I believe in result-oriented approach, my efforts are directed towards making the Ministry, Nepalese Embassies and Consulars abroad result-oriented and economically more active. I am launching some indicators to see if we have been able to make this body both the messenger of peace, friendship, and also of development.

Will Nepal take part in the UN force in East Timor?

If the UN invites our country to take part in the UN force in East Timor, we will accept the proposal and join it.

It is said the relation between the party and the government is not smooth. Being one of the Congress leaders and also involved in the government, what is your opinion regarding this?

Everywhere in the world, there is problem regarding an ideal relationship between the ruling party and its government. We are not an exception to this. The party is not satisfied with some of the activities of the government and the government is also not content with what the party does at times. But my effort is always to bring both the party and the government into a single net where misunderstandings could be settled by dialogues.

Ex-Gurkhas' Conference Opens

-By Our Correspondent

A huge rally of the British Ex-Gurkha servicemen took out a procession in Kathmandu on Saturday.

The Ex-Gurkhas, who are demanding equal pensions and salary as their British counterparts, are also organising a three-day conference on 'The Plight of the Gurkhas'. The Conference was inaugurated at Tundikhel by VC winner Tul Bahadur Pun. The conference will be participated by delegations from both inside and outside the country.

Five Maoist Commanders killed

Five Maoist guerrilla commanders were killed last week in a series of clashes with the Police. One of them was killed in Rolpa district when a group of about 25 guerrillas attacked the police and two others were killed in a fierce firing last Thursday between the police and the Maoists.

According to a police source, two of the five killed have been identified as Gangadhar Oli and Devi Prasad Oli. The other guerrillas who were shot dead in Gorkha, a district of western Nepal, are said to be alternate members of the Nepal Communist Party-Maoist politburo Suresh Wagle and his associate Bhimsen Pokharel.

Police have stepped up search operations in northwestern and western part of the country after the Maoists escalated their campaign by attack police in several parts.