Date:19/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091957041700.htm

International - India & World

Prachanda: India excited about ‘New Nepal’

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) has said his visit to India was successful and it added a “new chapter” to the relations.

Talking to reporters here, he said: “We agreed on reviewing, upgrading, and adjusting of major treaties that had been pending since long.

“If we finish this in the given time, then we will surely meet people’s expectations,” he added. A secretariat-level committee would be formed soon, he said. About Nepal-India ties in a changed context, he said the relationship should mean “discontinuity from the past.” Mr. Prachanda said he put forth this idea to Indian leaders and they agreed to it, and hence the changes in the treaties were accepted. “A kind of excitement was seen on the part of Indian intellectuals and industrialists about new expectations in New Nepal,” he said with a smile, adding: “The positive impact was reflected in the joint statement too.”