By NNN-PTI,
Kathmandu : Prime Minister Prachanda on Sunday left on a “goodwill” visit to India where the Maoist leader plans to chart out a new relationship with its giant neighbour, including the review of the landmark 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty and Kosi pact of 1954.
The Prime Minister will discuss the review of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty and Kosi Agreement during talks in Delhi, but no new agreement will be signed as it is only a goodwill visit,” said Minister for Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato, who is also a member of the high-level delegation.
“I firmly believe that the 1950 treaty should be replaced by a new treaty and during my parleys in New Delhi we will discuss the matters, as also the Kosi agreement,” Prachanda earlier told PTI.
Before leaving Kathmandu on Sunday, Mahato told PTI that though Nepal wants to review the 1950 treaty and Kosi agreement, no new agreement will be signed this time, as the visit is only a goodwill one.
“We will discuss the entire gamut of Nepal-India relations and the aim of the visit is to strengthen and expand bilateral relations,” Mahato said, adding we will discuss all the issues with open mind.
Nepal will also take up the issue of relief and compensation to the victims of Kosi flood, he said.
The breach of the Kosi embankment in Nepal and recent floods in the river sparked a row between the two neighbours and caused dislocation of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border and immense damage to livestock and property.