As China is forging closer ties with countries neighbouring India, Chief of Defence Staff(CDS)General Bipin Rawat has advised Nepal to be cautious while inking international pacts. He, however, did not name China.
Asserting that ties between India and Nepal are as deep as the Indian Ocean and strong as the Himalayas, Rawat said India’s goodwill towards its neighbour comes with no strings attached.
“...the canvas and spread of cooperation, friendship and people to people contact between India and Nepal are deep and extensive. But in the present age, Nepal is also opening to other nations including China based on its independent foreign policy,” said Rawat at the second annual dialogue with the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) during the virtual meeting.
He said “India’s goodwill comes with no strings attached. Nepal is free to act independently in international affairs but must be vigilant and learn from Sri Lanka and other nations which have also signed agreements with other countries in the region.”
Rawat also called for the need to bolster the existing relationship further for the peace and prosperity for both countries who are already “inseparable in every way.”
Incidentally, his observations come in the backdrop of recent souring of relations between India and Nepal after the inauguration of a road to Mansarovar in Uttrakhand. It led to mass protests in the Himalayan nation.
In an effort to assuage the sentiments, several diplomatic visits later took place and Army Chief General M M Naravane also visited Kathmandu last month.
Meanwhile, Rawat also said India’s economic relations with Nepal are quite unique although much more could be done. In 2019-2020 economic assistance has crossed Rs 12 billion for development in the various sector of the economy such as agriculture, water resources, energy, infrastructure and the list can go on and on, he said.
India accounts for over 30 per cent of the Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) in Nepal and over 150 Indian ventures are also operating in Nepal, in various fields, he said.
Noting that the balance of trade is in India’s favour as Nepal has to import several essential items from India, Rawat said the Indian industries are working there in banking, insurance, telecom, power sector and tourism industry.