Nepal-india eminent persons’ group for updating treaties

KATHMANDU: The Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) on Nepal-india relations has agreed to update all the bilateral treaties and agreements, including the crucial Peace and Friendship Treaty signed in 1950, in line with the present reality of the two countries, according to a media report.

The EPG members reached the agreement in a joint report prepared after concluding its meeting in Kathmandu on Saturday.

The EPG, which was formed in January 2016 with the mandate to review various aspects of the bilateral relations including Nepal-india Friendship Treaty 1950, has said it will submit the report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli soon, according to a statement issued by the EPG.

“This is a step forward in reviewing and resolving various bilateral issues. As we have succeeded to prepare the joint report in consensus, it has laid a strong ground for further work,” EPG Nepal coordinator Bhekh Bahadur Thapa was quoted as saying by My Republica.

There are four members each from Nepalese and Indian sides in the group. EPG members from Nepal include Thapa, Nilambar Acharya, Suryanath Upadhyay and Rajan Bhattarai.

Members from India include Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Mahendra P Lama, Jayanta Prasad and B C Upreti.

During earlier meetings of the EPG, the Nepalese side presented facts regarding the need to review the Nepal-india Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 so as to update it as required by time and situation.

On Monday, Koshyari met Nepal’s deputy prime minister and defence minister Ishwor Pokhrel at the latter’s house in Dhapasi. The two dwelt on the current political condition of Nepal, the Oli government’s plans and programmes and Modi’s recent visit while praising strong relationship between the two countries, reported My Republica.

Koshyari said the EPG joint report will ensure the friendship between Nepal and India would “climb newer heights”, My Republica reported.

He expressed belief of a more harmonious relationship between the two sides and said the joint report “meticulously dwelt on issues” to ensure that it didn’t affect future their relationship.