Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal says Nepal is now at the cusp of economic takeoff and the country has achieved political transformation, peace and democracy
Our Bureau
New Delhi
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stated that one-on-one discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were helpful in easing the situation that was heading for complications. Speaking to Nepali journalists in New Delhi on Friday morning, Dahal stated that after three one-on-one meetings with his Indian counterpart, the atmosphere of the talks became comfortable. Dahal emphasized that despite the pressure to perform, the environment improved as a result of the Indian Prime Minister’s initiative.
Prime Minister Dahal said that there were some doubts that the environment for the talks would be complicated after reaching the Indian capital on Wednesday, Kathmandu Post reported. “When we arrived, we had some doubts about the occurrence of complexities during the bilateral talks as we had come with certain expectations and preparations,” said Dahal.
“Several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements were signed and because of it this visit has become historic.”
Dahal, during the interaction, said he was doubtful about the progress to be made with India upon reaching the Nepali Embassy after arriving in New Delhi on Wednesday, Kathmandu Post reported. “I had three one-to-one meetings with Modi which eased the situation. A lot of hard work was done,” said Dahal, “At one point I was worried and under pressure that we would not be able to deliver what we had come for. I see Modi ji’s initiative in easing the pressure.”
Dahal termed this visit historic even though he had previously visited India four times as the Prime Minister adding that the Indian media also gave better coverage than the previous visit, Kathmandu Post reported.
“Overall, it was good. I came as the Prime Minister for the fourth time. The second visit was a state visit and I was staying at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. But now the Indian media is also covering more about my visit,” said Dahal.
Prime Minister Dahal said that the main ‘outcome’ of the current trip was the long-term power deal.
“The most important thing that we emphasized during this visit was the long-term energy agreement given our potential in the power sector,” said Dahal. Prime Minister Dahal said that, during his meeting with Indian PM Modi, he pointed out that it was impossible to seek a breakthrough in the relationship between Nepal and India by keeping the issue of border dispute at bay, Kathmandu Post reported.
“I told Modiji that there cannot be a breakthrough between Nepal and India by maintaining the border dispute,” said Dahal.
“Modi ji believes that Nepal-India relations will reach new heights and the Indian prime minister talking about resolving the boundary issue is a significant development,” he added.
Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda on Thursday said Nepal is now at the cusp of economic takeoff and the country has achieved political transformation, institutionalized peace and democracy. “Nepal is now at the cusp of economic takeoff. We have achieved political transformation and institutionalized peace & democracy in the country,” the Nepal PM said at the CII: India Nepal Summit. Prachanda said: “Now, socio-economic transformation constitutes our top-most priority agenda. We had to double our efforts to ensure a resilient economic recovery in the post-COVID world.”
The Nepal PM said the country needs enhanced level of investment, smooth transfer of reliable and affordable technology enhancement, capacity for production and productivity and generation of employment.
Earlier on Thursday, Dahal called on President Droupadi Murmu. The President welcomed Prime Minister Prachanda and congratulated him on his appointment as Prime Minister of Nepal.
The President remarked that bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal has grown recently. Even during the tough days of the COVID-19 epidemic, trade between the two nations was maintained. The President further said that the open border between India and Nepal has encouraged tourism from both sides. “She emphasized the need of reviving the spiritual tourist circuit to promote people-to-people contact and tourism. She said that Sister City Agreements and improvement in financial connectivity can also boost tourism between our two countries,” the official statement read.
The President said that Nepal is a priority for India, and added that New Delhi looks forward to a development partnership with the Himalayan nation, including early completion of important projects.
