Statement issued by Shri Rajnath Singh,
National President Bharatiya Janata Party

A four-member delegation from Nepal led by its former Foreign Minister Shri Chakra Bastola called on the BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh this morning and apprised him about the present political situation in Nepal. Shri Rajnath Singh welcomed the installation of Seven Party Alliance Government in Nepal and expressed hope that peace and normalcy would soon be restored in the country.

Expressing concern on the recent developments in Nepal he said, “ the BJP would not appreciate a situation where Nepal loses its true identity and buckles under the Maoist pressure.” BJP President said, “The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) Government should ensure that it is not taken for a ride by the Maoists. Any peace talks or power sharing with the Maoists would be futile and dangerous if they did not shun violence by laying their arms completely.”

“Though the Maoists have declared a ceasefire and say they are willing to join the peace dialogue but they are busy with extortion and recruitment to the ‘people’s liberation army’. Their attitude has generated suspicion and distrust that they want to use the ceasefire period to consolidate their position, as they have done twice before,” he said.
Referring to the Indo-Nepal Treaty of 1953 Shri Singh said, “the treaty is crux to Indo- Nepal bilateral relations and it should continue in spite of pressure from certain quarters to write it off.”

Shri Singh expressed hope that the SPA government was able to deal with the complex political situation in Nepal and “its age old strong bilateral relations with India remain cordial and intact.” The four-member delegation included former Nepalese Foreign Minister Shri Chakra Bastola, CWC member of Nepali Congress Dr. Shekhar Koirala, Shri Arjun Narasingha and Secretary General of South Asia Foundation Shri Rahul Barua.

BJP Vice President Shri Bal Apte was also present in the meeting.

(Shyam Jaju)
HQ Incharge