India, Nepal parliamentarians discuss border issues

KATHMANDU: A conference of parliamentarians from India and Nepal began here today with a focus on border issues facing the two neighbours.

Inaugurating the meeting today, Nepal's Vice President Paramanand Jha said that the India-Nepal relationship is unique and extraordinary in that the ties are beyond the level of any other two countries.

The meeting mainly focussed on India-Nepal border issues and effects on the people living in the border areas.

Former prime minister and CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said that now economic relations should be given priority keeping in mind the centuries-old religious, cultural and familial ties of the two countries.

He said that Nepal should reap economic benefits from the development of India, and added that Nepal can work as a bridge between India and China.

Speaking on the occasion, president of Terai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Mahanta Thakur expressed the view that people of border areas are facing similar challenges on both sides.

The 1,690-km open border should be utilised as an opportunity by the peoples of the two countries, he added.

Likewise, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae said that people of the border areas have an important role in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

He said that India is ready to cooperate with Nepal in its endeavour for attaining economic development.