Nepal DPM calls for harnessing water resources with India

New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) Nepal today called upon India to help synergise bilateral complementarities of the two neighbours through harnessing the abundant water resources of the Himalayan nation for mutual benefit-- economic as well as social.

Delivering the ninth Dinesh Singh Memorial Lecture here, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs and Indian Council for South Asian Cooperation, Nepal Deputy Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli pointed to India being a rising political and economic powerhouse and observed that its economic progress would have a positive impact on Nepal and the south Asian region.

He said Nepal could benefit from a rapidly growing India in terms of expanded markets, increased tourists arrivals, enhanced investment and scaled-up technology transfer.

''As a result Nepal will be able to create jobs, increase production, reduce poverty and promote sustainable development,'' he said.

The two countries, he said, could benefit enormously by harnessing the abundant water resources of Nepal to meet the rising energy needs of India to fuel its rapid economic growth.

He said the Nepal-India open border must remain a symbol of enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

''It must also act as a catalyst for shared prospertity on both sides,'' he said, but added that the two countries must remain alert that ''this unique openness is not misused by elements hostile to our interest''.

He said the proper management of border with increase dvigilance would help contain cross-border crimes, and expressed the hope that the proposed Extradition Treaty and the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance, once finalised, would give a qualitative boost to Nepal-India cooperation in this sector.

The DPM also called for implementing the anti-terrorism convention of 1987 and its additional protocol, and redoubling efforts to address the issues of poverty and injustice.

Pointing out that SAFTA held out the promise of transforming South Asia, he said the concept of South Asian Development Fund should be pursued with great vigour for huge investment in infrasture projects.

UNI DG/YJ PM GC2101