The first meeting of the Eminent Persons Group formed by Nepal and India scheduled for July 4-5 will set the tone for reviewing bilateral relations and chart out a future roadmap.

According to Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, who coordinates the EPG team for Nepal, the Indian side has agreed to Nepal’s proposal to hold the first meeting on July 4-5 in Kathmandu. The group has the mandate to look into bilateral ties in totality including reviewing of the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950.

The Nepali team has already started consultations with stakeholders on key features of Nepal-India relations, seeking suggestions on how it can be improved in the changed context.

The four-member Nepali team is busy preparing the outline of the relations including the key features, dimensions of the relations, gathering documents and other dossiers to help them make a position.

“Since this is a joint initiative, we are equally sensitive about what the Indian side will come up with at the meeting. We will sit together, discuss and review the present status of the relations, which will be helpful for both the sides to move forward jointly,” said Thapa.

Since all four major political parties in Nepal have agreed to reviewing the Nepal-India ties, Thapa said the team has a strong political support.

The two sides have already prepared the terms and reference of the EPG, giving near autonomy to the panel. After completing the task in two years, the respective panels will submit their reports to their governments.

The EPG is mandated to comprehensively review bilateral relations and recommend measures, including institutional frameworks to further enhance bilateral ties.

The Nepali team comprises Thapa, Nilambar Acharya, Rajan Bhattarai and Surya Nath Upadhyay.

The Indian team comprises Bharatiya Janata Party leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, former Indian ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad, Prof Mahendra P Lama and BC Upreti. Koshiyari coordinates the Indian team.