Honorable Prime Minister,
As you begin your historic visit to Nepal I wanted to share a few thoughts. As far back as I can recall we in Nepal have been talking about our nation’s immense hydro potential and how harnessing it would transform the very fabric of the nation and all Nepali people! The reality needed to converting our hydro potential into possibility is firstly the need of investment from outside Nepal and the second is the ability to sell the produced power!
We now stand at a juncture where with the changed political reality in India and Nepal, we may have an opportunity to actually do something about both in partnership between our two nations. But then again in some quarters in Nepal we have started debating and discussing whether we are about to sell our nation and our future. As I am sure there are those in India as well who are not comfortable with starting a new chapter in the relations between our two nations.
I believe that the time has come for both countries to put aside preconceived notions, complexes and perceptions and negotiate an agreement that is not only to the benefit of one nation over the other, but a deal that is of mutual benefit to both parties. Yes mutual benefit, because any deal to be sustainable on a long term basis has to provide value to both parties involved.
As a Nepali I for one am confident on my fellow Nepalis abilities to sit and negotiate and work out an agreement of mutual benefit to both nations. I feel neither nation has a choice of whether to develop Nepal’s hydro power potential or not, what we all have to work towards is getting an agreement of sustainable mutual benefit of both nations.
Honorable Prime Minister, as a citizen of Nepal I request you for your patience and understanding as we your Nepali brothers sort through our insecurities and misunderstanding to reach a truly watershed agreement that will redefine our ages old ties into the next century and beyond! I urge you also to exhibit the leadership qualities that has made you the leader of the world’s largest democracy, to tackle the hurdles you may face within your nation to get this agreement of mutual benefit not only signed, but actually implemented.
We all look forward to your visit and may your Darshan at the revered Pashupatinath bring blessing upon you and take the relations of our two nations to unprecedented heights.
Anil Keshary Shah
Citizen of Nepal
प्रतिक्रिया