Lessons to learn

The Himalayan Times

8 August 2014

Lessons to learn

This is with reference to the news item “On Nepal visit, Modi says ”felt as though I had come home” (THT, 6 August, Page 5). The official visit of an Indian prime minister to Nepal after a gap of 17 years proved to be significantly successful and productive in terms of boosting bilateral relations between the two republics. Therefore, it can be expected that Modi’s recent visit has laid a solid foundation for furthering the age old political, social, cultural and economic ties between the two countries in the days ahead.

In fact, during the last one decade under the Congress rule in India, New Delhi used to deal with Nepal through bureaucracy and security agencies. Nepal should not let the opportunities for development and cooperation provided by Modi’s visit to slip, mainly in water resource, trade, investment and infrastructure. But Nepal’s bureaucratic machinery has often failed to utilize most of such opportunities in the past because of its age old traditional way of handling business.

However, it is hoped that Nepali leaders and bureaucrats have now learnt lessons and will act accordingly.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu