India respects Nepal's independence: Indian Envoy to Nepal

KATHMANDU, Aug. 8: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Jayant Prasad has said that India always respects Nepal´s independence as the country was an independent nation before many Asian countries gained independence.

At the concluding function of the two-day national gathering of the Nepal-India Friendship Association in the capital on Wednesday, Ambassador Prasad said Nepal´s independence is unique in the South Asia region and other countries should learn from this and act accordingly.

He reminded that then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru had said Nepal was an elderly sister while India the younger one in terms of independence.

India is ever ready to extend its help in the sectors of education, health and physical infrastructures in Nepal thereby strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, he said, adding that India would not interfere in the domestic affairs of Nepal.

Political leadership of Nepal should become active in concluding the peace process and constitution writing, he stressed.

On the occasion, Association Chairperson Om Prakash Sarawagi said Indian assistance to Nepal was matchless and that continues to consolidate the relations between the two countries.

Presenting a working paper on ´New Dimension in Nepal-India Relations´, Professor Dr Lokraj Baral said comprehensive discussion and cooperation was needed to further consolidate relations between the two neighbours.

Expert on water resources, Kumar Pandey said Indian assistance in Nepal´s hydropower sector was very positive. On the occasion, he presented a working paper on ´Prospect of Hydropower in Nepal and Indian Assistance´.

Vice-Chairman of the Association Bharatendu Kumar Mallik said the harmonious relations between the people of the two countries should be kept intact.

Some 100 people including office-bearers of the Association participated in the gathering.