PM’s controversial visit

The Himalayan Times

9 June 2023

Prime Minister Dahal’s recent four-day official visit to India remained controversial considering the way he was welcomed upon his arrival in India and his religious visit to Indore in Madhay Pradesh, keeping aside the exchange of documents, related to a) Treaty of Transit between Nepal and India; b) MOU for the development of the Integrated Check Post at Dodhara-Chandani; c) MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Petroleum Infrastructure; d) MOU between the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of Nepal and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) of India; e) MOU for the Development of Phukot-Karnali 480 MW Hydro-electricity Project; f) Project Development Agreement (PDA) of Lower Arun 669 MW Hydro- electricity Project, and g) MOU between National Clearing House Limited Nepal (NCHL) and National Payment Company India Limited (NPCIL) for cross-border payments, between the two governments “Nepal. India agree on long-term power trade” (THT,June 1, Page 1).

Some political analysts opine that the PM completely failed to raise of national importance, such as the Gurkha recruitment issue, which was halted last year after India announced the Agnipath scheme, the issue of the Akhand Bharat mural, showing Lumbini and Kapilbastu, in the new Indian parliament building, recognition of the pending Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report and the Lipulek-Kalapani border dispute, among others. His religious trip to a Shiva temple in Indore, Madhay Pradesh wearing a saffron robe and a holy thread was widely criticized considering his involvement in the 10-year-long so-called people’s war killing 17-thousand innocent people.

He was also blamed for not including Nepal’s foreign secretary during his meeting with Indian Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary and instead included his daughter Ganga Dahal. Also, he was criticised for getting the President’s authentication of Nepal’s citizenship bill hours before taking off to India. However, the Supreme Court on Sunday issued an interim order asking the concerned authorities not to enforce the new amendments to the Citizenship Act.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharjgunj

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