India agrees to end border dispute: Chairman Dahal

KATHMANDU: UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the Government of India has pledged to end the border dispute between Nepal and India.

At a news conference organised in the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) this morning upon his arrival from a week-long India visit, the former Prime Minister said he was assured by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to end the disputes seen in Kalapani, Susta, Lipulek and other passes.

“Special concerns were expressed from the side of Indian government when I raised the issues with reference to the sentiments of Nepal and Nepalis. There are problems between two countries including border issue. They (Indian leaders) have given words to resolve the problems based on the historical facts and evidences,” Dahal added.

According to him, his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister was mostly focused on the border issue.

The former Prime Minister also said that discussions were held regarding the ways to reduce Nepal’s huge trade deficit with India.

On a separate context, Dahal told journalists that the Indian President, Indian government, political parties and intellectuals congratulated him for the progress in Nepal’s constitution writing process based on the four-party agreement.

Dahal added that the Indian Prime Minister has suggested to move ahead by taking all sides together and the aspirations of other leaders were also in the same line.

He said that lessons were learnt for Nepal’s reconstruction bids in the post-quake situation after his Gujarat visit.

The former Prime Minister had left here for India visit on July 14.