23rd June, 2002

The full text of the interview of the Charge d’Affaires of the Indian Embassy to the National News Agency of Nepal on the first visit of His Majesty Gyanendra Bir Vikram Shah Dev, the King of Nepal to India is placed below.

1. Their Majesties are paying a state visit to India at the invitation of His Excellency the President of India from June 23 to June 28, 2002. How does India take this visit?

Ans. A warm welcome awaits Their Majesties in India. The people of India and the Government of India are very happy that this visit will contribute to further cementing our friendly relations. We attach great importance to
this visit.

2. Could you highlight the significance of the visit?

Ans. India – Nepal relations have a tradition of High Level visits. As has been commented upon by many Nepali experts and observers of India-Nepal relations, the fact that the visit of His Majesty to India is his first visit abroad after accession to the throne is significant. We are happy that he has chosen to first visit India. His Majesty will have interactions with our senior leaders and the visit would increase goodwill between our two
countries and strengthen our cooperation.

3. Many high level meetings have taken place between the two countries and many programmes have been set up to help Nepal in her development endeavour. Still some plans and programmes remain unimplemented. What are the reasons behind this?

Ans. India and Nepal have a wide range of projects and programmes under the aegis of bilateral economic cooperation. Obviously, at any point in time there will be projects under consideration and programmes under
implementation. Mega projects among these do take time to conceptualise and implement because of the process of detailed planning and long gestation periods. However, our effort has always been, and will continue be, to
undertake mutually agreed projects in Nepal and implement them in close cons ultation with Nepal in an expeditious manner. The important thing is for India and Nepal to jointly workout the project concepts and modalities for their implementation keeping in view the objective of maximizing the benefits from these projects to the peoples of the two countries.

4. Nepal has been confronting with terrorist problem and so does India. What should be done to contain terrorism? India has supported the move taken by the government in tackling terrorism. Is there any possibility to assist Nepal?

Ans. India fully supports the efforts of Government of Nepal in restoring peace and order in the country. There is close cooperation between the two Governments and much of the assistance sought by Government of Nepal in
this context has either been delivered or is being delivered. The cooperation in itself is an ongoing process and India stands firmly with Nepal in its endeavour to effectively deal with elements that are inimical to peace
and stability and progress and prosperity of the country. Let there be no doubt on this.

5. India has vowed to contain terrorism and even help Nepal in this regard, but it is alleged that some top Maoist leaders have been provided shelter in India. Could you comment on this matter?

Ans. I do not have any knowledge of the presence of top Maoist leaders in India. I have seen reports from time to time about Nepalese leaders meeting the top Maoist leaders in India but apart from the meeting that took
place some time last year with some senior UML leaders, I believe the Nepali leaders have denied such meetings. You are aware that India has deployed special forces along the India Nepal border to have a better management of our long and open border. After His Majesty’s Government of Nepal provided photographs of wanted Maoist
terrorists, these have been circulated and displayed in India. Some Maoists who were found to have entered India for receiving treatment were handed over to the Nepalese authorities. I think the media has a very significant role to play in properly informing the people of Nepal of the cooperation between India and Nepal in the
fight against terrorism.

6. Does India have any new programmes to assist Nepal in her development endeavours? If so, could you shed light on this matter?

Ans. Yes we have several programmes under consideration. You would be aware of a number of projects which were mentioned in the Joint Statement issued on the conclusion of the visit to India of Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister
of Nepal Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba. We are discussing the setting up of the Institute of Information Technology, a Trauma Centre at the Bir Hospital etc. India and Nepal have already signed an agreement on setting up of Optical Fibre Cable Network . Another very important project being discussed with His Majesty’s Government of Nepal is the improvement of infrastructure at the border crossing points. This will contribute significantly to improving the efficiency of moving the goods and people across the border.

7. The Detailed Project Report of the Pancheshwar has not been completed yet. What is the drawback of it?

Ans. The Detailed Project Report of the Pancheshwar Multi-purpose Project is almost ready. There are a few important issues on which the two sides are currently engaged in constructive discussion. Pancheshwar is a mega
project in the real sense of the term. As and when it comes on stream, it will not only provide significant amount of clean electricity to India but would also change the face of the economy of western Nepal. We do hope that with the pragmatic and constructive approach adopted by both sides, this project, which would bring enormous benefits to the peoples of the two countries, would go on stream sooner than later.

8. There are many issues of bilateral interest including the Indo-Nepal railway, changing Janakpur – Jaynagar railway into broad gauge, operation of Inland container depot. How long will it take to settle these issues?

Ans. Yes I agree that many people would like the Jaynagar- Janakpur line to be converted into broad-gauge but we have to look from the point of view of economics also. Does the traffic justify the heavy investment in the
conversion? Earlier as you know India had extended the broad-gauge railway line from Raxaul to Birgunj. India and Nepal are currently discussing to finalise the operationalisation of the railway link. I think it should
be possible to arrive at a mutual understanding on the technical and operational issues.

9. In your opinion, what should be done to regulate the India-Nepal border and check terrorist and criminal activities taking place along the border?

Ans. It will be a mistake to think that the problems of cross border terrorism or cross border criminal activities arise because of open borders. We have borders with other neighbours which are not open but still the
problem of cross border terrorism persists. India and Nepal have a joint committee to look into the issues of border management. In the final analysis, there is no escape from greater exchange of intelligence between
authorities responsible for border patrolling/management. To facilitate the cooperation between the concerned authorities of the two countries, I think conclusion of an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance would be very
helpful. I hope that we can provide the legal framework to the security agencies of the two countries to efficiently and successfully check terrorist and criminal activities.