Kickstarting Nepal’s economy, which has been ravaged by the Covid 19 pandemic, will be Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s immediate challenge. Though the experienced Deuba has served as Prime Minister of the Himalayan country four times earlier, the pandemic has changed the political contours of the region.
As India and Nepal share an open border, the economic co-operation between the two is expected to rise in the coming months. “The two countries need to shift gears in terms of economic co-operation especially in the post Covid scenario. It cannot be business as usual.
Both countries must embark on a new journey of economic, political and social co-operation,” an insider said, indicating changes in foreign policy stance towards the Himalayan nation.
Deuba, who belongs to the Nepali Congress, will have to do a fine balancing job, with an eye on the domestic requirements while carrying out international diplomacy especially with neighbours including India and China, foreign policy observer told India Narrative.
Meanwhile, India’s ambassador to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra called upon Deuba on Wednesday.
"Honoured to call on @DeubaSherbdr; extended congratulations and best wishes on becoming PM of Nepal. Looking forward to working with his team to deepen the multifaceted India-Nepal partnership and people-to-people ties for common progress and prosperity," a tweet put out by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu said.
After the visit, Nepal's foreign affairs ministry too in a tweet said that the prime minister thanked the envoy and "recalled the age-old friendly relations between the two countries."
Udaya Shumsher Rana, member of the Nepali Congress and former minister of state for finance, told India Narrative that traditionally his party has always maintained cordial and stable relations with India.
Also read: India keeps a close watch on Nepal developments as Deuba's star shines
“For the Nepali Congress international relations have never been driven by domestic politics as we have been seeing in the recent past. The thrust will be to maintain good relations with all the neighbours,” Rana said, adding that India and Nepal will have to work closely in the future to be able to address issues related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Earlier, at an event, Bharatiya Janata Party's foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaliwale said India and Nepal have an equitable partnership. “India would like to work with Nepal on three levels: government to government, people to people and cultural relations,” he had said.
Concerns over ongoing projects including BBIN
Uncertainty has arisen over the much awaited Bangladesh-Bhutan-India Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) project, aimed at boosting connectivity in the region.
“While work was moving fast on the project especially as the region was preparing for a post Covid phase, the change in the government could lead to a delay, though eventually it will see the light of the day,” Bipul Chatterjee, executive director, CUTS International told India Narrative.
However, the bilateral projects will be on track.
