New Delhi, October 5
Members of the Nepal-India Eminent Persons’ Group have agreed, in principle, to review the 1950’s Peace and Friendship Treaty.
During the two-day EPG meeting held in New Delhi, the Nepali side proposed inclusion of some points. The two sides discussed the points.
Lawmaker and EPG member from Nepal, Rajan Bhattarai, told Onlinekhabar that the two sides agreed to review the treaty during the second meeting of the EPG that concluded on Wednesday.
The meeting agreed to upgrade some of the issues figuring in the treaty, Bhattarai said, describing it as an achievement. It’s unclear what those issues were.
Nepal had been seeking a review of the treaty for quite sometime. India had sought a concrete proposal from Nepal.
Nepal has proposed some changes in the treaty in view of ‘the changed context’.
Bhattarai said: Regional power equilibrium has changed in comparison to the times when the treaty was signed. Nepal’s political situation has also changed.
Participants held initial discussions on Nepal’s proposal. Bhattarai said: Initial discussions have taken place, further discussions will take place during the meeting to be held in Nepal in December.
