Trust is focus of India visit: Prachanda

KATHMANDU: When Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” arrives in New Delhi on Thursday for a state visit, the focus will be on mending ties and boosting

KATHMANDU: When Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” arrives in New Delhi on Thursday for a state visit, the focus will be on mending ties and boosting trust and confidence with Indian leaders.

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The visit comes after bilateral ties hit an all-time low over the economic blockade of key border trade points and inconclusive dialogue over the promulgation of Nepal’s controversial new Constitution. Several attempts by the Nepal government to address shortcomings raised by agitating groups led to little success.

Prachanda told Parliament on Wednesday that his visit is aimed at boosting confidence and trust with India. Dispelling the impression that he would sign new agreements, he said he would instead focus on implementing earlier treaties.

Discussions would also be held on economic and physical infrastructure projects, said Prachanda, who is embarking on his maiden foreign visit at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

“Talks will be held on immediate launching of the first phase of construction works of the postal highway, the second phase of construction and the implementation of Power Trade Agreement and Pancheshwar Project’s study report,” he said.

Work on check posts at Bhairahawa, Biratnagar and Birgunj will figure in the talks.