The Eminent Persons Group on Nepal India relations has exchanged the drafts prepared by both sides to be presented to their respective governments.

Both the sides have agreed that additional meetings are required to give final shape to the report, which will be the blueprint for resetting Nepal-India relations in the changed context.

According to the members, they have agreed to hold the ninth EPG meeting in Kathmandu on June 1-3, after both sides review the reports and recommend suggestions as required.

Nepal coordinator of the group Bhekh Bahadur Thapa said they have discussed in detail the contents of the drafts. “The meeting was cordial and fruitful,” said Thapa, adding that they hope to make the ninth meeting their last.

“Before that, we’ll solicit suggestions from experts and stakeholders to make the report complete,” he said. Despite differences, said Thapa, both sides are working to bring out a joint report.

The EPG is mandated to suggest review of past agreements and accords including the 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty, pacts on trade, transit and economic cooperation while specifying ways to maintain people-to-people contact, manage borders and boundaries, and develop water resources, among others.