‘Bilateral strains with India can be resolved through dialogue’
Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said some of the longstanding problems between Nepal and India can be resolved through constant dialogues and cooperation. Minister Gyawali told media at the New Delhi-based Nepali Embassy on Friday.
Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali said some of the longstanding problems between Nepal and India can be resolved through constant dialogues and cooperation. Minister Gyawali told media at the New Delhi-based Nepali Embassy on Friday.
“Nepal-India relationship is not problem-free and we cannot expect to solve all the problems overnight,” said Gyawali. He also said that the report prepared by the Eminent Persons Group on the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and other matters pertaining to bilateral ties will be implemented soon.
Asked about the delay in the implementation of the joint report finalised by the EPG, Gyawali said the report’s suggestions will be implemented soon after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the document.
“The EPG was formed with the utmost understanding and discretion to revise the Nepal-India ties in the changed context so as to drive this age-old friendship towards a new avenue,” said Gyawali, assuring that the recommendations in the report will be implemented soon.
Although the EPG finalised the joint report on June 30, its endorsement remains uncertain as Modi seems reluctant to receive the document. Gyawali also said that as a current chair of SAARC, Nepal is always in favour of advancing the regional cooperation and resolve the differences and disputes among the member nations.
“If American President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un can meet in Singapore, we can pretty much be assured that talks can resolve anything,” said Gyawali, hinting at the sour relation between India and Pakistan. He said he had brought up the SAARC issue with Indian External Affairs Sushma Swaraj during a meeting on Thursday.
The 19th SAARC summit that was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan on November 2016 could not convene at the last moment due to a dispute between India and Pakistan.
Minister Gyawali arrived in New Delhi on Thursday morning to participate in the fourth edition of Raisina Dialogue as one of the keynote speakers. He is scheduled to return to Nepal on Friday evening.
28.12°C Kathmandu
