The two-day meeting of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations (EPG-NIR) that started from Wednesday in the Capital ended today with both sides agreeing to undergo further study and discussion on the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty. This is the third EPG meeting between Nepal and India.

Nepal presented facts on the need to review the 1950’s peace treaty citing it ‘not in tune with time’ and ‘impractical’. The Nepali side demanded revision of articles 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the treaty. The issues will be discussed in the fourth meeting scheduled for May 29-31 in India’s Dehradun.

During the meeting, the Nepali side presented that it wants to replace some of the articles of the treaty in the changed global and regional context.

At a news conference after the meeting of the EPG, Coordinator of Nepali group and former minister for Foreign Affairs Bheikh Bahadur Thapa said that intensive discussions were held in all articles of the Treaty as well as all the aspects of the bilateral issues.

He also expressed his confidence to arrive to a conclusion in the given timeframe of two years adding that the meeting is proceeding in a positive nod.

The two day meeting held discussion on three issues—the peace treaty, treaty on water resources and trade and transit treaty between these two countries.

Historically, the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty has been one of the most contentious issues in Nepal-India relations, with critics often arguing that the treaty boxes Nepal as India’s subservient neighbour.

The EPG, which has four members each from Nepal and India, is entrusted with the responsibility of putting together a mutually agreed document to suggest ways to strengthen bilateral ties in view of evolving regional dynamics and world order.

Indian members are learnt to have expressed positive views about Nepal’s proposal to amend or update the 1950 treaty in the changed context.

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