Former FM Mahat expects Indian support for foreign access and international market

KATHMANDU: Former Foreign Minister and Nepali Congress Leader Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat on Saturday stressed on the need for support from the Indian side for foreign access and international market to Nepal.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Indian Council for International Cooperation titled ‘Nepal-India Relations in the Changing geo-political Context’ Mahat said, “Nepal-India relations are dictated on one hand by a sense of what we have as the rich legacy of centuries-old coexistence of the two societies, the two countries and the peoples and, on the other, by the abounding optimism about the immense possibility at our disposal for future."

"The reflection of the past and its unbiased assessment is important to have a fair sense of what we did right and where we lagged behind,” he stated adding “More important is to forge a clear vision of how we want our relations to evolve in the days to come and how we work to translate the vision into reality."

Addressing the talk programme as a key note speaker, the former minister said that both the countries have been brought closer by our steadfast commitment to democratic values, practices and system of governance.

Meanwhile, late NC leader BP Koirala was also remembered in the event as he, along with others, fought for India' freedom struggle while Indian leadership at different times supported Nepal's democratic movement.

On a different note, former Dr Mahat said, "as a landlocked country, Nepal’s developmental challenges are unique and more in number. From a close neighbor like India, we, therefore, expect a generous appreciation of these challenges and the most supportive disposition as we aspire to overcome the geographic hurdles of being landlocked, upgrades our infrastructure, and expand and diversify our trade and economy."