Taskforce to review 1950 Treaty to be formed: Joint Statement
India and Nepal have publicised the joint statement, Wednesday,
incorporating the understandings reached during the bilateral talks
between the prime ministers of the two countries.
The 22-point statement talks about the review of Indo-Nepal Peace and
Friendship Treaty of 1950 and forming a joint taskforce to initiate the
study in this regard.
In the joint statement, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Indian
counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh expressed satisfaction at the age-old close
cordial and extensive relationships existing between Nepal and India. They
also expressed their support and readiness to cooperate each other to
further consolidate the relationship in the days ahead, a statement by
Ministry of External Affairs of India reads.
PM Dahal appreciated the positive support extended by India throughout the
peaceful political democratic transformation while India expressed full
support to peaceful democratic transition in Nepal.
In the joint statement, the Nepali Prime Minister is quoted to have said
that following the Constituent Assembly elections, bringing the peace
process to a logical conclusion, writing a new constitution and
accelerating the pace of economic development are the main priorities of
the government of Nepal in the days ahead.
It said further said two sides felt the need to inject new dynamism into
the relations between the two countries for a forward looking change in
tune with the realities of the time as well as the wishes and aspirations
of the people of both the countries.
The two Prime Ministers also agreed to review, adjust and update the 1950
Treaty of Peace and Friendship and other agreements, while giving due
recognition to the special features of the bilateral relationship. A
High-Level Committee at the level of foreign secretaries will be set up
for this purpose.
The Nepali side informed that government of Nepal would take further
necessary measures for the promotion of investor friendly, enabling
business environment to encourage Indian public and private sector
investments in Nepal.
The two countries have also agreed to enhance cooperation in handling
cross-border crime and security concerns for which home secretaries will
meet soon to implement this decision.
They expressed concern over the damage caused by Koshi flood and decided
to launch relief and rehabilitation measures for the victims and the
reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure, and other measures as per
the agreements, immediately, and take up preventive measures to avoid the
recurrence of such events in the long term.
The two prime ministers also decided to take up preventive measures for
the Gandak and other barrages under existing bilateral arrangements.
Likewise, the two sides also discussed the problem of inundation in the
border areas between Nepal and India and agreed to take up necessary work
for its effective prevention on the basis of bilateral consultation.
According to agreement, government of India will provide IRs 200 million
as immediate flood relief to Nepal and will also rebuild the segments of
the East-West Highway, damaged by the floods. India will set up a camp
office in Biratnagar for facilitating movement of Nepali vehicular traffic
through Bihar for improved access to other parts of Nepal till the highway
is repaired.
The statement further says a three-tier mechanism at the level of
Ministerial, Secretary and technical levels will be established to
rationalize and raise the efficacy of the existing bilateral mechanisms in
order to push forward discussions on the development of water resources in
a comprehensive manner, including hydro-power generation, irrigation,
flood control and other water related cooperation. The secretaries will
meet in two weeks.
The two Prime Ministers directed the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) at
the level of Commerce Secretaries to meet in one month to initiate a
comprehensive review of the existing trade and transit arrangements with a
view to promoting industrialisation in Nepal, expanding complementarities
of bilateral trade on a sustainable basis and removing the barriers to
trade.
Two countries will enhance the pace of economic development by extending
support for the preparation and execution of mega projects, including
infrastructure development such as road, rail and hydel-power projects.
Additionally, the government of India will remove the ban on the export of
rice, wheat, maize, sugar and sucrose for quantities agreed with Nepal and
will provide credit of up to IRs. 1.5 billion to Nepal for the next three
months to ensure uninterrupted POL supplies to Nepal.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh accepted the invitation from PM
Dahal for Nepal visit at the earliest date, to be fixed through diplomatic
channel. nepalnews.com Sep 17 08
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