Q.299 Indo-Nepal treaty

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state;

a) whether it is a fact that due to the interference of maoists, Indo-Nepal treaty is on the verge of breaking up;
b) if so, the details in this regard;
c) whether India intends to carry out any review or changes in the said treaty with Nepal;
d) if so, the details thereof; and
e) the steps intended to be taken by the Government to bring about fundamental improvements in India’s relations with Nepal?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

a) No.

b) Does not arise.

(c) to (d) During the visit of the then Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, to India in September 2008, both sides noted that the multi-faceted and deep rooted relationship between the two countries needed further consolidation and expansion in a forward looking manner to better reflect the current realities. It was in this broader context that the two Prime Ministers agreed to review, adjust and update the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and other agreements, while giving due recognition to the special features of the bilateral relationship. In August 2009, during the visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal Madhav Kumar Nepal to India, the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal directed their Foreign Secretaries to discuss the review of the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and other bilateral agreements with a view to further strengthening the bilateral relationship.

e) Our relationship with Nepal is close, traditional, time–tested and covers a broad canvas. Strengthening of economic linkages with Nepal, developing border infrastructure, human resource development, social infrastructure, assistance in grass-root level development projects in Nepal covering the areas of health, education and community development etc. and people-to-people exchanges, are being undertaken by the Government to further strengthen the existing bilateral relationship.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216308.

Lok Sabha