Committed to strengthening relations: Dahal

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Friday that his government was committed to strengthening ties with neighbours and forging an enduring partnership with India.

During a joint media briefing after his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, PM Dahal said, “The Nepali side exchanged substantive views on taking concrete steps to elevate bilateral relations to a new height in all spheres—political, economic, social and cultural.”

PM Dahal arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a four-day state visit.

“We shared the view that given our deep and extensive relationship, a meaningful partnership between our two countries is crucial to unlock huge potential that we have for our mutual benefits. I am convinced that without economic prosperity, political transformation cannot be sustainable,” said Dahal. “We realise that a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Nepal contributes to peace and stability in the neighbourhood and beyond.”

While stressing Nepal’s friendly ties with India, PM Dahal said that during his meeting with Modi he shared that trust and confidence are the pre-requisites of strong and sustainable friendly relations. “And to ensure this, we should respect each other’s sensitivities and concerns in a spirit of good neighbourliness,” said Dahal.

“We exchanged views on our respective ‘neighbourhood first’ policies and agreed that this common orientation in our policies should lead to a greater and mutually beneficial partnership for the 21st century based on trust and open dialogue,” Dahal added.

Before heading for New Delhi, Dahal had said in Kathmandu that the main objective of his visit to India was trust building, boosting confidence and improving ties. At a reception hosted by the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi on Thursday, Dahal had reiterated the same.

The Dahal government, which was formed last month, has pledged to register an amendment proposal in the Legislature-Parliament to address the concerns of the agitating Madhesi, Janajati and Tharu groups.

“You are aware that my government has made serious efforts to bring everyone on board as we enter the phase of constitution implementation in the interest of all segments of Nepali society,” said PM Dahal.

Significant day in history of our friendship: Modi

KAMAL DEV BHATTARAI

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed confidence that Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal will successfully implement the constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating the aspirations of all sections of diverse society of Nepal.

During a joint media briefing after a meeting between the two prime ministers at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Modi said: “We commend the role you’ve personally played in strengthening democratic institutions in Nepal [and] wish you very success.”

During a meeting with Dahal on Friday, Modi appreciated efforts made by the Dahal-led government to address the demands of the agitating Madhesi, Tharu and Janajati groups. Dahal’s visit to India comes amid the agitating groups’ pressure on government in Kathmandu to amend the constitution to address their concerns.

The Dahal government has pledged to register a constitution amendment proposal to address the agitating groups’ demands.

“It would create a conducive environment for the implementation of the constitution if there is an early amendment to constitution,” Modi told Dahal during the meeting. Modi, who during his visit to Nepal in 2014 had heaped praises on the Maoist party for laying down arms and seeking a peaceful transition through the charter, on Friday again lauded Dahal, saying: “You have been a catalytic force of peace in Nepal. I am confident that under your wise leadership, Nepal will successfully implement the constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating the aspirations of all sections of your diverse society.”

Modi also described his meeting with Dahal as “a significant day” in history of Nepal-India friendship.

“Both our societies share deep rooted historical ties and civilisational linkages,” said Modi. “Along with the relationship between our governments, the links between our societies provide depth and character to our partnership.”

“We share our burden during difficult times, just as we celebrate each other’s achievements. Our friendship is time-tested and unique,” said Modi. “As immediate neighbours and close friendly nations, peace, stability and economic prosperity of Nepal is our shared objective. At every step of Nepal’s development journey and economic progress, we have been privileged to be your partner.”