Nepal parties urge Prachanda not to strike deals with India

Kathmandu, Sept 12 (ANI): Nepal's major political parties in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have suggested to Prime Minister Prachanda that he should not to strike any new deal with India without wider consultation during his upcoming visit to India.

The political panel wanted him to take up all problems in bilateral relations openly.

The parties gave this suggestion during a meeting called by Prachanda at his office.

"The Prime Minister should not strike any new deal that could have long-term consequences without wider consultation and national consensus," said Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat.

"We suggested that the Prachanda must focus on issues of immediate concern as this is a 'goodwill visit,' he added.

He said issues like review of the 1950 Treaty and an alternative Koshi Barrage need to be discussed in detail and a national consensus arrived at. Treaties and agreements are of long-term concern so they need comprehensive homework.

CPN-UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal said his party has suggested to Prachanda to raise issues like border disputes, the Koshi Barrage and the trade deficit between the two countries.

Khanal also asked him to raise the issue of repatriation Bhutanese refugees, the quarantine imposed by India on Nepali tea products and rights of Nepalis living in India.

Prachanda is scheduled to visit India on September 14.

This will be his first visit to India after becoming the first elected Prime Minister of the federal republic Nepal.

He will accompanied by four ministers including Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Information and Communication Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Commerce and Supplies Minister Rajendra Mahato and Water Resource Minister Bishnu Poudel.

His official meetings will begin from September 15 when he will meet with Indian President, Vice President and Prime Minister.

He is also scheduled to meet with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani.

He will also meet representatives of Indian business community, Nepalnews reported. (ANI)