WILL NEVER PIT INDIA AGAINST CHINA, SAYS PRACHANDA
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the man slated to be Nepal’s next Prime Minister, says he will strive for balanced relations with both neighbours and wants India to boost investment in Nepal. Also promises to address grievances of Madhesi parties
KATHMANDU: Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) and the man slated to become Nepal’s next Prime Minister, said in an exclusive interview with HT that he will strive for a balanced foreign relations with India and China. Underlining that Beijing’s interest in Nepal remained Tibet, activities of western powers, he said, China’s concerns was not necessarily about India. Prachanda, who was Nepal’s PM from August 2008 to May 2009 made it clear that Kathmandu will not use one country against the other.
Prachanda also emphasised the unique nature of Nepal-India ties and said New Delhi was a stakeholder in Nepal’s post-2006 political process.
When asked how the new term will different from his first stint, the Maoist chairman said he made mistakes in the past. “Last time, I was inexperienced in the ways of competitive democracy. We still had a war mindset. After ten years in open politics, I have learnt the rules of competitive democracy. I have more experience and maturity.” He added that the Maoist alliance with Nepali Congress, had broken then. “We got diverted but I have returned to the point of origin and roots now, and am in partnership with Nepali Congress.”
Prachanda also admitted that in his first stint, there was a lack of ideological clarity on democracy in his party. He said, this time, there was a ‘fundamental unity and maturity.’
He said the most crucial area of correction was ensuring good relations with neighbours.
Prachanda said Nepal India ties were unique – but there had been some weaknesses from both sides. “We now have to take the transitional process to a logical conclusion. And for this, all stakeholders including India have to come together.” Back in 2009, it was a rift with India that eventually led to his government’s collapse.
Admitting that there were differences with New Delhi on promulgation of the constitution and blockade, Prachanda said he was not in favour of using these issues to prolong bitterness and build feudal and narrow nationalism geared against one country.
Seeking India’s assistance, the Maoist chairman said, “there is a perception that India takes up projects but does not work. The kind of investment and volume of support we should see from a neighbour as close as India hasn’t happened.”
About the growing sense in New Delhi that Kathmandu had been inviting greater Chinese role to counter India, Prachanda said that China has always told him to maintain good ties with India.