Kathmandu, May 21: Foreign affairs experts have stressed the need of floating a new 21st Century relevant and dynamic treaty in the context of the existing Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty-1950 losing its relevance.
The experts said this at a talk programme ‘Relevance of 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty in the Promotion of Nepal-India Relations’ organized here today on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the establishment of Nepal Academy.
The speakers have suggested the government that the new treaty should dwell on the matter related to border management, unrestricted transit right of Nepal, sovereign equality, and balance of national interests.
They also asserted that the old treaty can be scrapped by issuing a notice one year in advance upon the signing of office-bearers of both the countries having similar protocol.
On the occasion, Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group Coordinator Dr Bhekh Bahadur Thapa clarified that the treaty would be revised in line with the Nepal Constitution and people’s aspiration and expressed hope that it would be possible through the discussion between eminent groups of both the countries.
Informing that the next meeting of EPG will take place on coming June 11, Thapa said Nepal has put its opinion on the issues including letter of exchange following the treaty, trade, transit and border security.
Foreign affairs expert Hiranya Lal Shrestha said that the treaty should not be targeted to any third country while asserting that it should not hinder the signing of bilateral and multilateral treaty with other countries.
There are four alternatives in regard to the treaty that include keeping Nepal-India new treaty as it was, amendment to the treaty, scrapping of the treaty by issuing a notice granting a year period and replacing old one with new treaty.
He, however, mooted to have the treaty based on equality in line with the principle of Panchasheel and need of the 21st century.
Prof Dr Triratna Manandhar noted the need to be highly cautious in keeping relations with India. “Though India was said to be ready for treaty revision, its official stance has not come outside. We are hopeful that the treaty would be properly safe landed”, he added.
Former Ambassador Dr Shambhuram Simkhada said that Nepal should not make perspective to any country on malicious manner and Nepal should assure the neighbours that there would be no security threat from Nepal’s territory.
The political parties should not compete each other on foreign policy, he suggested, adding that they should develop common view on the country’s external policy.
On the occasion, various speakers said that the Nepal-India EPG participants should raise the issue of 1947 tripartite treaty and smooth supply of Nepali newspapers to India.
Political analyst Krishna Pokharel said that some of the provisions of the treaty have not been in practice but unscripted things have come as mandatory.
Academy Chancellor Ganga Prasad Uprety said the opinions emerged during the discussion would be shared to the government and foreign affairs would also be continually discussed in coming days. RSS
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