'Nuanced approach needed on Madhesi issue in talks with Nepal'

The External Affairs Ministry should be mindful of its perception in Nepal and should adopt a more nuanced approach while negotiating with the Nepalese government on the political question of Madhesi community, a parliamentary panel said today.
In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs also criticised the ministry for failing to develop a focused budgetary planning process to ensure proper allocation and spending of the funds.
The committee also recommended to the government to take an expeditious decision to open up missions and posts in the 68 countries where India does not have permanent mission.

The panel also slammed the ministry for reduction of budgetary allocation for 2016-17 at the revised estimate stage.
It said till end of third quarter of the current fiscal, the MEA has been able to spend only Rs 8,950 crore leaving a massive amount of Rs 4,476 crore unspent.
On India's ties with Nepal, it said "India primarily suffers from a problem of perception in the country rather than that of projects.
"The Committee would, therefore, desire that the ministry should negotiate the political question of Madhesis in a more nuanced manner so as to be more mindful of perceptions in the Nepal Valley."

It also said that India should strictly adhere to various timelines related to post-earthquake reconstruction work to ensure its completion on a mission mode.