New Delhi: Barely days after the G P Koirala government arrived at an agreement with Maoists raising hopes of a lasting peace in Nepal, Maoist leader Prachanda has said Kathmandu would review the 1950 Treaty with India, which shapes the contours of Indo-Nepal relations and gives them special status.
"We need to change the treaties we have signed with India in the past according to today's reality and requirements," Prachanda told a magazine in an exclusive interview. He said the old treaty was heavily loaded in favour of India.
"Times have changed now. India has a population of 100 crore. Even if one crore come to India, Nepal is finished. We don't want the border to be sealed, but one must do something to make the people of Nepal feel secure," he said.
The Maoist leader said many Indians have invested in property in Nepal, and this was affecting Nepal. Prachanda's comments are seen as surprising, considering the important role India has played in helping the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) reach an agreement.
"We are willing to work with India, but we need to change the treaties we have signed with India in the past, according to today's reality and requirements. For instance, the Treaty of 1950, according to which Nepal has to take permission from India for everything they do for their Army. People are free to come into Nepal and buy property," he said.
Asserting that Nepal needed good relations with India, he said that did not mean that Nepal would follow all of India's policy. "We will only work according to Nepal's needs. We do need India's help, without which it will be difficult for us to move forward."
He said Nepal's main target was to get rid of the feudal system and put in place a capitalist mode of production. Nepal should have been the richest country in South Asia. It is rich in natural resources, hydro-electricity, all kinds of herbs and tourism.
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