National
Four-day trip to focus on improving ties, high-level visits: Nidhi
Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, who arrived in New Delhi as the special envoy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said his four-day visit would focus on enhancing bilateral ties and laying the groundwork for high-level visits between the two countries.Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi, who arrived in New Delhi as the special envoy of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, said his four-day visit would focus on enhancing bilateral ties and laying the groundwork for high-level visits between the two countries.
Speaking to the Post soon after landing in the Indian capital on Thursday, Nidhi said he would hand over the invitation from President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to visit Nepal. Kathmandu wants to ensure Mukherjee’s visit to Nepal on the first anniversary of the promulgation of the constitution in September. However, if the demands of the Madhes-based parties are not addressed, Mukherjee is unlikely to visit on the day, sources said.
Nidhi said he would make preparations for the visit of PM Dahal to India, which is likely to take place on September 15-16. Nidhi will also offer invitation to Indian PM Narendra Modi to visit Nepal.
Nidhi said he would discuss with Indian officials about President Bhandari’s visit to Delhi. Her visit, scheduled to take place in May, was cancelled abruptly at the eleventh hour much to the displeasure of India.
Nidhi said another agenda of his discussions in Delhi was to improve bilateral ties by addressing the mistrust between the two countries that was caused by differing perceptions of the demands of the Madhesi parties related to the new constitution. “There is the need for building good relations with our neighbours to ensure stability and development in Nepal,” he said. India has been urging the Nepali side to address the demands raised by the Madhes-based parties and the Janajatis. “Obviously, there is some internal dissatisfaction, which should be addressed through constitutional amendment,” said Nidhi.
Indian officials said Nidhi’s visit would give them an opportunity to know the priorities of the new government in Nepal. Vikas Swarup, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said India highly regards its relations with Nepal.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tarun Vijaya, who is considered close to PM Modi, said the distrust that persisted between the two countries had been cleared.