New era has dawned in Indo-Nepal ties: Prachanda

New Delhi, Sept 15 (PTI) Favouring a "revolutionary change" in relations with India, Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda Tuesday said a "new era has dawned" that should help further strengthen the bilateral ties.

He suggested that New Delhi should help in the
development of Nepal which is placed in between two rising
economies -- India and China.

The former Maoist leader, whose real name is Pushpa
Kamal Dahal, said his country is committed to laying the
foundation of stronger bilateral ties with India.

"I am going back to Nepal as a satisfied person. I will
tell Nepali citizens back home that a new era has dawned," he
said addressing a gathering at a lunch hosted by Janta Dal-
United (J.D.-U.) leader Sharad Yadav here in his honour.

"Time has come to effect a revolutionary change in
bilateral ties. On behalf of the new government, I assure you
that we are committed to make a fresh start," said Prachanda,
who has been favouring reshaping of the relations.

He had held wide-ranging talks Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Monday.

Citing the economic progress in India and the
"far-reaching changes" in Nepal, he said "there is a need to
qualitatively improve the relationship. New dynamism needs to
be infused in the relationship. New Nepal is keen to develop
new relations with India."

He said in an effort to take this relationship forward
"we need to, as per the rules of progress, take a break from
the continuous process and make a stronger beginning to
further strengthen this relationship."

The first Nepalese Prime Minister after abolition of
monarchy there said he understands the security concerns of
India.

"India is making rapid progress. China too has a higher
growth rate. Nepal is in between these two countries and if
there is no development in Nepal, it is going to be a
problem," he said, adding "India has to pay attention to this
aspect."

Prachanda, who led a decade-long armed agitation
against monarchy before joining the political mainstream last
year, said "the foundation of the peace process was laid in
India, that is why we have a unified responsibility to take
the peace process forward."

On his discussions with Singh and other political
leaders here, he said "I tried to make a point. There was a
continuation in Nepal...continuation of a system in Nepal. We
broke the continuation and initiated a new process which we
are trying to establish."

He said the continuation in Nepal-India relations also
needs to be broken so that there could be "a fresh start".

Noting that Indo-Nepal relations have been cordial and
unique, he said "to take this relationship forward, we need
to, as per the rules of progress, take a break from the
continuous process and make a stronger beginning to further
strengthen this relationship."

In this regard, he cited certain issues, including
water sharing, border management, economic development and
security matters which needed to be looked into.

"I have taken a tough line and announced that Nepal's
soil will not be allowed to be used for activities directed
against any nation," the former Maoist leader said. PTI SKU
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