Trade treaty, securing Indian aid key achievements: Nepal

Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Aug 22 (PTI) Describing his maiden India tour
as "highly satisfactory", Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal
on Saturday said the finalisation of a new bilateral trade
treaty was one of the "major achievements" of the visit.

"The visit has helped to further strengthen bilateral
relations and expand mutual cooperation and trade," he told
reporters after arriving at the Tribhuvan International
Airport here after completion of his five-day official trip.

India has pledged to provide huge financial assistance to
Nepal for different projects including those relating to
roads, security, and for completion of various pending works,
the premier said.

"The finalisation of the trade treaty and the pledge of
grant assistance by India were major achievements of the
visit," the 56-year-old said.

The Communist Party of Nepal-UML leader said India will
also provide help to establish a police academy in Nepal and
provide equipment to strengthen Nepal Police in order to help
improve the law and order situation in the country.

During the visit, the two sides initialed a revised trade
treaty and an agreement to control unauthorised trade,
particularly from a third country.

The two countries also agreed to review the 59-year old
bilateral Treaty of Peace and Friendship which has been the
subject of much criticism in the Himalayan state.

Nepal said a wide range of issues were discussed during
the bilateral talks he held in Delhi with the top Indian
leadership, including his counterpart Manmohan Singh.

"The visit has added a new dimension to the existing
bilateral relations between the two countries," the Prime
Minister said adding that the trip has helped to create an
atmosphere of "trust and mutual understanding".

He said the new trade treaty would help expand bilateral
trade between the two countries and also provide more access
to Nepalese products in Indian markets.

The treaty has provisions that it would be renewed in
every seven years instead of five years at present.

Nepal said the two sides also discussed issues relating
to improving border security, increasing Indian investment,
security issues and matters relating to moving forward the
stalled Pancheshwor hydropower project.

India has conveyed that construction of two integrated
check posts at Birgunj-Raxaul and Biratnagar-Jogbani at an
estimated cost of Indian Rs 200 crore will commence soon. PTI