Nepal Maoists call for 145;equal146; ties with India

The first diplomatic initiative by the Indian Government to rework its relations with post-poll Nepal began here on Saturday...

The first diplomatic initiative by the Indian Government to rework its relations with post-poll Nepal began here on Saturday with victorious Maoist leaders sticking to their guns over not having a 8220;special8221; relationship with India and scrapping of 8220;unequal8221; portions of the 1950 and other Indo-Nepal treaties.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day seminar titled 8216;Emerging Trends in India-Nepal Relations8217;, organised by the External Affairs Ministry, senior Politburo member of Communist Party of Nepal Maoist C P Gajurel made it clear that they wanted a relationship with India on 8220;equal footing8221; and not a 8220;special8221; one. He also stressed that 8220;unequal and controversial8221; portions of treaties signed with India would be 8220;reviewed and revised8221;.

Representatives, including members from the Government and political parties, are participating in the seminar.

The Prime Minister8217;s Special Envoy, Shyam Saran, however kept away from this controversial aspect and instead focused on 8220;mutual benefit8221; the two countries can derive. On the sidelines, however, Saran made it clear that India was ready to renegotiate the 1950 treaty according to the wishes of the Nepalese people. He rubbished media reports that India was surprised by the electoral outcome in Nepal and sought to underline that it had never played favourites with any party in that country.

Saran8217;s thrust was on making the Nepalese delegates realise how beneficial India could be for Nepal in the changed scenario. 8220;You have free access to our market. Please make use of it, and we could establish a very mutually rewarding economic partnership between our two countries,8221; he told the delegates. He also talked about cooperation in hydel power generation.

Gajurel, who is tipped to be the Foreign Minister of Nepal, stressed that the foreign policy of 8220;new Nepal8221; would be a reflection of its domestic situation. He said Nepal would neither tilt towards India nor China. 8220;India and China card has been used a lot in Nepal in the past. But we want to put an end to it. We want friendly relationship with both the neighbours based on equal treatment,8221; Gajurel said.