KATHMANDU, Nov 25: The Centre for Social Inclusion and Federalism (CESIF) organized a round table discussion, focusing on the recent visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to India. The event brought together parliamentarians, experts, journalists, former bureaucrats, and diplomats.
Raj Kishor Yadav, Chairperson of the International Relations and Tourism Committee at the House of Representatives, was the chief guest speaker. Other notable speakers included Former Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun, as well as Members of Parliament Udaya Shumsher Rana and Sunita Baral.
The visit that took place from May 30 to June 3, 2023 aimed to strengthen Nepal-India ties, especially in areas such as power trade and cross-border infrastructures. While many viewed the visit positively, the focus of the discussion was on the implementation of the deals and agreements signed during the visit.
Executive Chairman of CESIF Vijay Kant Karna moderated the dialogue. He noted increased political trust, as seen in Prime Minister Modi's commitment to resolving border issues through dialogue. However, Karna emphasized that sensitive issues like border disputes require careful preparation and consensus.
Parliamentarian Sunita Baral expressed satisfaction with the economic benefits achieved during the visit. Barshaman Pun acknowledged a growing environment of trust with evident economic advantages. Udaya Shumsher Rana emphasized compartmentalizing structural and economic issues when dealing with India, prioritizing economic aspects over long-term solutions for border disputes.
Chief Guest Raj Kishor Yadav stressed the importance of Nepal understanding India's concerns for effective diplomacy. He highlighted the interconnected nature of issues between the two countries.
Participants acknowledged a trust deficit between Nepal and India, calling for diversification and decentralization of diplomacy. Views on the success of the PM's visit varied, with some expressing satisfaction and others dissatisfaction. The key challenge lies in the yet-to-be-seen implementation of the signed deals and agreements. While there may not be a radical breakthrough on longstanding contentious issues, participants recognized the potential for further negotiations within the limitations of the current visit.