No problem in reviewing ’50 treaty: Saran

NEW DELHI: Former Indian foreign secretary and former Indian ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran on Friday said re-negotiation on 1950 India-Nepal Friendship Treaty with Nepal was “not at all an issue”. Speaking in India Tonight programme on CNBC, Saran said re-negotiation of the pact was “not an issue” as it was already agreed in 2001. When asked to comment on Prachanda’s call for abrogation of the treaty, Saran said: “We have no reservations if the issue is put back on the bilateral agenda.” Saran also said India would encourage all political forces in Nepal, including new political forces like the Madhesi parties, to respond positively towards forming an all-party coalition national unity government.