After months of bitterness over a territorial dispute, India and Nepal Thursday took a significant step towards the normalization of bilateral ties in the form of Foreign Secretary Harsh ShringlaThe visit to Kathmandu in which both parties agreed that, as official sources said, it was important to respect the sensitivity of others. India and Nepal discussed all aspects of the relationship, including trade, investment and connectivity, in addition to the Kalapani border issue that was raised by Nepal.
Significantly, as the sources here said, both sides felt that India and Nepal should focus on the positive aspects of the broad relationship. One of the reasons India delayed engagement between Foreign Secretaries, in addition to the pandemic, was Nepal’s mace approach to the sensitive Kalapani border issue that prompted KP Sharma Oli’s government to issue a new map of Nepal and will hastily secure its endorsement by Parliament.
Nepal alluded to the discussions on the Kalapani and Susta territorial disputes in its official statement, as it said that Shringla and his counterpart Bharat Paudyal discussed boundary issues and exchanged views on the completion of “boundary work in the remaining segments. “.
“Both sides shared their perspectives on border issues and discussed ways to carry them forward under the appropriate bilateral mechanisms,” said an Indian government source.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Pradeep Gyawali Later that day, he was quoted as saying that “pending history” issues were discussed and that Nepal wanted to resolve the border problem on the basis of “historical facts”.
Shringla also visited Oli, with whom he also had a one-on-one meeting, President BD Bhandari and Gyawali. He also became involved with the opposition when he met with delegations from the Nepalese Congress and Madhesh leaders.
“Discussions of the Secretary of Foreign Relations with PM Oli It included a candid review of the state of the bilateral relationship and the potential to bring India and Nepal even closer together. Prime Minister Oli conveyed Nepal’s desire to build on the momentum in the bilateral relationship and improve the level of bilateral engagement, “said a source.
Discussions were held on the specific measures needed to complete key projects as soon as possible, including the Pancheshwar multipurpose project that Oli himself has been pushing for early implementation. The need to resume person-to-person contacts was discussed, including the beginning of an air travel bubble between India and Nepal.
With China looking to reactivate its stalled BRI projects in Nepal, India is also working to improve economic cooperation with Kathmandu with a focus on accelerating work on its own projects. Nepal is likely to host Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on Sunday. The energy and trade secretaries of India and Nepal are expected to meet soon virtually to take over from where the foreign secretaries left.
Oli also thanked Shringla for Covid-related assistance from India during Covid. The development of the Shringla vaccine was discussed assuring the leaders of Nepal that the Nepalese requirement would be given priority. It delivered more than 2000 vials of Remdesivir injections as part of India’s ongoing support to Nepal in its efforts to combat Covid.
Shringla also relayed an invitation from Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to Gyawali to visit India for the next round of the Joint Commission Meeting.
Shringla conveyed India’s interest in deepening economic ties, promoting connectivity, expanding partnership for development and strengthening people-to-people contacts, particularly youth. He informed Oli about the many projects funded by India, which benefit all sectors of Nepalese society. “added the source.
Shringla will visit Gorkha district on Friday to inaugurate 3 rebuilt schools with indigenous help. It is also expected to launch an Indian-funded project to renovate the Tashop Gompa monastery in Manang district.
On video: Foreign Minister Shringla meets Prime Minister of Nepal in Kathmandu
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