India can bring prosperity to Nepal through investments: Pushpa Kamal

Pushpa Kumar Dahal, better known as Prachanda or the ‘fierce one’, who led a decadelong bloody guerrilla war against the Nepalese monarchy before joining electoral politics, today harps on consensus to build a new Nepal. On his maiden visit to India since the Narendra Modi government took charge, Prachanda hailed Modi’s neighbourhood first policy and said Delhi can bring prosperity to the Himalayan state through investments.
In an exclusive interview to ET’s Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury (his only one to an Indian English daily in this trip), Prachanda, who quit as prime minister just a year after being elected in 2008, also said Kathmandu is committed to address all cross-border security challenges that India faces. Edited excerpts:

What brings you to Delhi at a time when Nepal’s constituent assembly is trying to achieve consensus to promulgate a new Constitution?

I am here not only as the leader of my party but also as a former prime minister and a representative of the Nepalese people. We are in the final phase of transitional political process in Nepal.

The basic issue of PLA integration (integration of Maoist combatants into Nepal army) and rehabilitation is over. But the interrelated task of drafting Constitution is unfinished. The first draft of the new Constitution is ready and public hearing has begun. I am here to create a positive atmosphere.

India has had a positive impact from day one on the 12-point agreement and comprehensive peace process (between Maoists and Nepalese parties and government to end monarchy and bring in democracy). Now we have entered the final stages.

Therefore I felt that we should have good understanding in India and I had very good discussions with Indian president, prime minister, external affairs minister and home minister on the drafting of the new Constitution.

What are the issues that were raised during your meetings with top Indian leadership?

Besides the ongoing political process in Nepal, I raised the issue of huge trade imbalance that we have with India and the need to correct it. I sought huge investments from India in Nepal to address this issue.

Simultaneously in Nepal we are very much concerned with India’s security concerns like cross-border crimes and fake Indian currency. Nepal government is committed to combat these challenges. My meetings were free and frank to understand each other’s mutual concerns. I gave heartfelt thanks from the Nepalese side to the Indian leadership for the commitment that it’s showing to make Nepal a developed country.

Do you think the Modi government is handling Nepal affairs better than the Congress-led dispensation?

Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Nepal in 17 years on a bilateral trip and he made a historic statement in parliament. The PM harped upon economic partnership and all pending issues including border issues and Kalapani (a disputed territory between India and Nepal).

This has created a positive atmosphere. I am very enthusiastic about the future of India-Nepal relations and am encouraged to have more dialogue and debate with the Indian leadership. The invite to all South Asian leaders for the PM’s oath taking ceremony itself was very good gesture. This created trust among all neighbours for India and they felt that Delhi is very much interested in building relationships. in South Asia.