Prachanda wants deep ties with India
Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’s trip to India is clearly aimed at reshaping economic engagement and reducing the political unease in the relationship.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: Nepal prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda���s trip to India is clearly aimed at reshaping economic engagement and reducing the political unease in the relationship.
In meetings with the Indian leadership, Mr Prachanda has conveyed his government���s desire to deepen economic ties with India. Mr Prachanda held one-on-one talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, opposition leader L K Advani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and President Pratibha Patil.
Sources called the meetings positive and said that there seemed to be an understanding that India would continue to be an important player in Nepal���s economic growth particularly in the area of hydropower and water resources management.
At the same time, an official on condition of anonymity said that the real test would be in implementation. The official pointed out that Indian companies which have already invested in Nepal were facing a number of problems.
The official took the example of Dabur which has seen its Nepal operations crippled by a strike that has been led by
Maoists trade unions.
The theme of economic cooperation was also reinforced at a business meeting where Mr Prachanda reaffirmed his government���s aim of facilitating investment and deepening economic cooperation with India.
``Today we all know that business is an engine of growth. Without the presence of a vibrant sector, government cannot accelerate its development efforts,������ he said. ``The role of the private sector is crucial in building the new economic edifice of a new Nepal.���
Trying to ease concerns about the prevailing security situation in Nepal, where Indian companies are finding it difficult to operate, Mr Prachanda said that his government would simplify the process of setting up a business in Nepal, create investment friendly environment and set up special economic zones.
And this is the right time for it,������ he said, and added, ``We will do all we can to ensure industrial security in Nepal...The government of Nepal remains committed to adopt every possible measure to provide investors the necessary security,��� he said.
Although we also want to develop relations with China, they cannot be compared right now and there is no question of comparison,��� Mr Prachanda said.
Mr Prachanda would be well aware of the disquiet his visit to China had caused in India. He further said that his government is in a ``delicate and transitional period.������
Inviting more investment in the hydropower sector, Mr Prachanda said: ``We will work to harness ten thousand megawatts of hydropower in a decade and also endeavour to have double-digit economic growth in the country.
In our new policy, private sectors are also encouraged to invest in bigger infrastructure,������ he said.
Mr Prachanda is understood to have sought India���s help and participation in reaching this target during official meetings also. ``We would like to start fresh.
I am thinking big projects should be undertaken in the hydropower sector not petty projects,������ he said. He further sought cooperation on trade in services particularly in the health, information and technology sectors.
In meetings with the Indian leadership, Mr Prachanda has conveyed his government���s desire to deepen economic ties with India. Mr Prachanda held one-on-one talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, opposition leader L K Advani, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and President Pratibha Patil.
Sources called the meetings positive and said that there seemed to be an understanding that India would continue to be an important player in Nepal���s economic growth particularly in the area of hydropower and water resources management.
At the same time, an official on condition of anonymity said that the real test would be in implementation. The official pointed out that Indian companies which have already invested in Nepal were facing a number of problems.
The official took the example of Dabur which has seen its Nepal operations crippled by a strike that has been led by
Maoists trade unions.
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But Mr Prachanda sought to allay these concerns and conveyed his government���s desire to increase economic cooperation with India and encourage investment from India in key sectors. He is understood to have asked for simplification of regulatory regimes and further transit facilities.The theme of economic cooperation was also reinforced at a business meeting where Mr Prachanda reaffirmed his government���s aim of facilitating investment and deepening economic cooperation with India.
``Today we all know that business is an engine of growth. Without the presence of a vibrant sector, government cannot accelerate its development efforts,������ he said. ``The role of the private sector is crucial in building the new economic edifice of a new Nepal.���
Trying to ease concerns about the prevailing security situation in Nepal, where Indian companies are finding it difficult to operate, Mr Prachanda said that his government would simplify the process of setting up a business in Nepal, create investment friendly environment and set up special economic zones.
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``Thus what we need is to utilise our exemplary relations and open up multiple avenues of cooperation in the economic front that would accrue benefits to both nations. And this is the right time for it,������ he said, and added, ``We will do all we can to ensure industrial security in Nepal...The government of Nepal remains committed to adopt every possible measure to provide investors the necessary security,��� he said.
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He further tried to counter apprehensions on Nepal���s growing proximity to China. ``Due to our specific cultural, historical and tradition of economic inter-dependence, relations with India are crucial and vital. Although we also want to develop relations with China, they cannot be compared right now and there is no question of comparison,��� Mr Prachanda said.
Mr Prachanda would be well aware of the disquiet his visit to China had caused in India. He further said that his government is in a ``delicate and transitional period.������
Inviting more investment in the hydropower sector, Mr Prachanda said: ``We will work to harness ten thousand megawatts of hydropower in a decade and also endeavour to have double-digit economic growth in the country.
In our new policy, private sectors are also encouraged to invest in bigger infrastructure,������ he said.
Mr Prachanda is understood to have sought India���s help and participation in reaching this target during official meetings also. ``We would like to start fresh.
I am thinking big projects should be undertaken in the hydropower sector not petty projects,������ he said. He further sought cooperation on trade in services particularly in the health, information and technology sectors.
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