External Minister’s visit would set the grounds for Modi’s visit : Indian Envoy

Kathmandu, July 23. Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae, has said that Indian External Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit would set the grounds for Modi’s visit.
Rae has said that India is ready to review the proposed draft of agreement about hydropower development in Nepal in mutual consensus.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club in Kathmandu today, the Ambassador said the two countries can settle the disputed issues through a discussion.
“The proposal is not our final version,” Rae said. “We are ready to review the draft after discussions with Nepali authority. Speaking at the program presided by Reporters’ Club president Rishi Dhamala, Rae was of the view that both countries can get benefits from the proposed agreement on ‘Cooperation in Power Sector’.
Rae added,It is a right time to sign the contract, also because both nations have stable governments currently. He, however, stressed on the need to reach a political consensus among national stakeholders and consider sovereignty of both nations before finalising the agreement.
Stressing that the Indo-Nepal relation is ‘unique’, the envoy said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nepal, expected in August, and would further strengthen the bilateral relations.
He also informed that the visit of Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, scheduled for later this week, would set the grounds for Modi’s visit scheduled for next month.
At the same function, CPN-UML Vice-President Bhim Rawal expressed his hope that the proposed visit of Indian premier may take the Indo-Nepal relations to a new height.
He suggested the government to make the hydropower deal with India through consensus.
“We will not object to making the contract for the benefit of both nations,” Rawal said. “The government can proceed, after forging consensus among other national actors.”
On the occasion, UCPN-Maoist leader & expert of foreign affairs Ram Karki, however, suggested that problems may arise if the government begins large scale hydro projects before the promulgation of a new constitution.
Stating that politics and diplomacy should go together, the foreign affairs expert of the Maoist party claimed that his party is not against hydropower development in Nepal.
Speaking at the same function, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Pashupati Shumsher Rana and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Bhekh Bahadur Thapa suggested the government to grab the opportunity for national interests, rather than making controversies.
Former Foreign Minister Mr. Bhesh Bahadur Thapa has stressed that there is more possibilities than the problem in the Indo-Nepal relations. Thapa suggested to the political leaders to be serious on getting advantages from the high level visit of Indian Premier on August. He stressed to stop for begging and suggested to start a new environment for trade & investment.
Reporters’ Club Nepal’s president Rishi Dhamala has lay out that the visit of Indian External minister would strengthen bilateral relation in height. Dhamala stressed that Nepalese leaders should have to create the crucial environment of bilateral relations, while in the Modi’s visit.