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India looking towards close economic ties with Nepal: Indian envoy
KATHMANDU, DEC 23 - Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran today said the focus of Indian co-operation to Nepal would be on infrastructure development along the common border.
"Our focus of the future economic co-operation will be on infrastructure development like railways, roads and communications along the border," Sharan said while speaking at a talk programme organized by the Nepali Congress (Democratic) in the capital.
He also said that the Indian side was looking towards building a very close economic partnership between the two countries. Reacting to query on the delay in implementation of the Mahakali treaty, Saran said that the delay was caused by the time taken in exploring better options for some aspects of Mahakali projects, including the location of the re-regulatory dams.
He also said that although the treaty has outlined some important principles in sharing the natural resources "by putting the people of both the countries on top," the objectives of the project were yet to be considered. "Whether we want the project more for power than water for irrigation is yet to be ascertained," Saran further quipped, debunking claims that there were any anti-Indian sentiments in Nepal. He said that he never felt there were any anti-Indian sentiments in the course of visits to different parts of Nepal.
Referring to the issues of construction of dams along the international borders by India and its harsh criticism in Nepal, Sharan said it would not be realistic to ask the Indians to dismantle the constructions without studying the final reports of the joint task force.
"Some of the issues can be dealt at the local level without taking them up to the centre," he claimed.
When asked about India’s role in strengthening democracy in Nepal, Saran said development of democratic institutions was a must "but we cannot call our people to come to streets." He also said that Indian experience suggests insurgency cannot be quelled through military means.Posted on: 2003-12-24 05:08
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