EAM Mukherjee visits Nepal, discusses political issues, Kosi barrage, border issues, among others; Maoists to work for a ‘people’s federal democratic national republic'; Chinese Ambassador to Nepal shifted
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    • External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Nepal from November 25- 27, during which he met President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav. Among the issues both sides discussed included the ongoing political process in Nepal, aspects relating to the repair work of the Kosi barrage, details regarding the extradition treaty and developmental assistance. Mr. Mukherjee reiterated India's commitment to help Nepal in whatever manner possible and called on all political parties to be involved in the process of drafting of the constitution1.

    Foreign Minister Yadav also noted that discussions were held on the problems in border areas like Kalapani and Susta, and the proposed construction of the Naumule hydropower project with Indian assistance2. Nepal on its part pledged to take necessary measures to promote an investor-friendly environment, and to encourage Indian investments from both public and private sectors. Reports noted that the Joint Technical Committee on the boundary issue had almost completed the scientific strip mapping of the Nepal-India border3.

    Meanwhile, the Maoists, at the national convention of the central committee (CC) on November 26, have decided to work for a ‘people’s federal democratic national republic' as an immediate priority. The new strategy, according to party leaders, is a 'synthesis' of separate policy documents presented by party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and organisation department chief Mohan Baidya. Party spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara stated that the new strategy seeks to institutionalize democratic republican order while keeping open the option of "gradual advancement towards people's republic." Over 1200 senior party workers, including People's Liberation Army commanders participated in the national conference4.

    China replaced its envoy to Nepal Zheng Xianglinm, with Qiu Guohong, a former deputy-director general at the Asia department of the Chinese foreign affairs ministry. Reports noted that Zheng was transferred due to his poor management of the Tibetan issue5. The Tibetan Review also noted that China's border police have significantly beefed up their strength at the base of Mount Everest due to the rising number of visitors and the resultant increase in thefts and other crimes. Analysts also believed that this will help to better monitor and prevent the flow of Tibetans escaping from Tibet6.

    China and Nepal meanwhile signed an agreement to increase cooperation in economic issues. This was done during the visit of the Minister of Industries Asta Laxmi Shakya to Beijing during the week Mrs. Shakya called on Chinese industrialists to invest in Nepal’s economic zones7.

    The British Minister for International Development, Mike Foster, was on a four-day official visit to Nepal from November 26-30. He announced that the UK will provide 20 million pound sterling in additional support to Nepal over the next two years to support the peace agreement and to help the government improve basic services. The DFID Nepal’s 102 pound sterling assistance over the next couple of years includes 500,000 pound sterling to support the work of the CA, 4.5 million for new bridges, 1.4 million for Koshi flood relief, and 660,000 to help the climate change national adaptation plan of action8.

    A Danish delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Per Stig Møller also visited Nepal from November 27-December 1. Besides the political consultations, the Danish minister visited the Beldangi Bhutanese refugee camp in Jhapa on November 27. Denmark is one of the countries helping in the resettlement of refugees. Møller stated that his government was ready to extend all possible support for the success of Nepal's peace process. The Minister urged the authorities to undertake reforms of Nepal's security forces and emphasized the importance of UNMTN's role in this regard9.

    In other developments, USAID launched a Rs. 300 million ‘Nepal Small Hydro Fund’ to support investments in the hydropower sector. The Fund is part of the USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) which supports private sector financial institutions to invest in small and medium-sized hydropower projects10.

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