Thrust of India visit is to clear all doubts, says Prachanda

Ahead of his India visit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Tuesday said the main thrust of his trip would be to "clear all doubts" in bilateral ties and build an environment of confidence and trust.

Prachanda will travel to New Delhi on September 15 for a four-day goodwill visit, his first foreign visit after assuming power some six weeks ago.

"The main expectation of my visit is to improve and strengthen Nepal-India relations that have gone through some bitter experiences in the recent past," said 61-year-old Prachanda. "I am also expecting that India would help us get out of the current difficult situation that would help strengthen our ties," he said.

"What had happened last year (indicating to border blockade) was very painful to the Nepalese people and it was also not a pleasant thing for India," said Prachanda, adding, "We will move towards adding a new dimension in the bilateral relations by learning from the past." 

"My visit will clear all doubts and an environment of confidence and trust will be built," he claimed.

Prachanda said the environment in Delhi is favourable for Nepal this time as he had sensed from Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, who had just concluded his two-day visit to India. "From the feedback I received from our Foreign Minister, it is certain that this time I would not have to bear much pressure during my visit to Delhi this time and I will be visiting there in a much relaxed manner," he said.

Prachanda said he would hold discussions with the Madhesi parties and other ethnic groups, who had launched months-long anti-Constitution agitation last year resulting in death of over 50 people, on Wednesday to resolve the crisis.