Have friendly ties with Nepal, don't interfere: Left to Centre

The CPI(M) today urged the Indian government to establish close relations with Nepal without interfering in the internal affairs of the neighbouring country.
Reacting to the recent victory of Left parties in Nepal, former general secretary Prakash Karat said the development should lead to a "re-thinking and change in Indias attitude to Nepal".
In an editorial in the forthcoming edition of party organ 'People's Democracy', he said relations between the two countries should be based on equality.
"The important political development in Nepal should lead to a re-thinking and change in Indias attitude to Nepal. The Modi government should strive to establish close relations of cooperation based on equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of Nepal," Karat wrote.

It said the big victory of the Communist alliance would have its "repercussions in South Asia too", and observed that the "Indian government should recognise the reality that Nepal would like to maintain cordial relations with both India and China its two big neighbours".
India should not view Nepals assertion of an independent foreign policy with suspicion, it said.

"Like the rest of South Asia, Nepal too intends to cooperate with the Belt and Road Initiative. India should not view Nepals assertion of an independent foreign policy with suspicion but work towards strengthening the natural affinity historically and culturally ordained between Nepal and India," Karat emphasised.

The editorial also criticised the Modi government's moves in 2015 relating to an economic blockade sparked by the Madhesi agitation in Nepal.
The Centre should take positive measures to assist Nepals economic development and build on the two countries' common cultural heritage, he said.
Extending full support to the Nepali Communists, he said the Left alliance government in Kathmandu has the "golden opportunity" to implement a Left-oriented programme for economic and social progress to provide a better life to the people of Nepal.