Kathmandu: Nepal Maoist chief Prachanda
Wednesday sought to allay India's concerns that his party was
strongly anti-Indian, but underlined that the two countries
need to redefine the 'unequal' accords of the past given the
dramatic changes of the past few years.
On the second say of her three-day visit, Foreign
Secretary Rao today met the Maoist chairman who also told her
that his party was committed to honour the agreements signed
in line with the peace process in Nepal.
Rao went to Prachanda's residence at Nayabazaar on the
outskirts of Kathmandu to meet the former prime minister this
evening as she intensified consultations with top leaders of
Nepal. Her visit comes at a time when Nepal's political
parties are struggling to bring the tottering peace process on
track.
The Maoist chief told media persons after the meeting
that he also assured Rao that his party is committed to fully
abide by the peace agreements signed in the past including the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
During the meeting the Maoist leader also sought to
dispel the view that his party maintains an anti-India stance.
Prachanda has often blamed India for interfering in
the affairs of Nepal and has demanded that the 1950 Peace and
Friendship Treaty and other "unequal treaties" with India be
scrapped.
The Maoist chief had also described India as its
principal enemy in his political paper at a party conclave
last year.
During the meeting, Prachanda also said that the two
countries need to redefine the past agreements and accords in
line with the changed circumstances.
In response to Rao's question regarding the fate of
the Maoist combatants after the exit of the United Nations'
mission in the country, Prachanda told her that the former
combatants will come under the purview of a special committee
comprising members of all major political parties that is
responsible for monitoring of the arms and the armies.
Rao earlier held consultations with top leaders of
major political parties, including Nepali Congress president
Shushil Koirala and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.
During her meetings with the leaders, Rao enquired
about the state of the peace process following the exit of the
UN mission and about matters relating to army integration and
drafting of the constitution.
She said India wants peace, stability and progress to
prevail in Nepal, underlining the need for all political
parties to set aside differences and come together to resolve
the stalemate.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 00:56