Kathmandu: Stating that India and Nepal are symbolically linked, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Friday said that the two neighbouring countries “need” each other.
Speaking at a public lecture in Kathmandu on Friday, he said Nepal was “fundamental” to the “Neighbourhood First” concept of the Government of India.
“We would like our friends in Nepal to share our dreams and be a part of this journey. We cannot do it alone, just as you cannot fulfil your dreams alone. In our region, our South Asia, we are symbolically linked. We need each other”, said Mr Shringla at the lecture organised by the Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA).
On Thursday, the secretary had met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his counterpart Bharat Raj Paudyal to discuss the border disputes at Kalapani and Susta .
“India's development and modernisation are incomplete and intrinsically and symbiotically linked to the development and modernisation of neighbouring countries such as Nepal”, he noted.
Mr. Oli’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Rajan Bhattarai said, “We will continue our foreign policy on the basis of Panchsheela and non-alignment and Nepal will never allow its territory to be used against Indian interests. But we have couple of issues that remain as a result of historic developments and these should be addressed satisfactorily”.
He was referring to the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura dispute, which disturbed the ties between two sides for more than a year.
Mr. Oli communicated that India and Nepal should be “bold” enough to address the lingering territorial issues so that the future generations could focus on their developmental requirements.
“The Prime Minister communicated to the Indian Foreign Secretary that Nepal is not interested in using any card against India to advance its interests, but India should hold talks to resolve the outstanding issues”, said Mr Bhattarai.
