Nepal will not accept the “big brother” attitude of India though it intends to maintain cordial bilateral relations with the country, a senior leader of ruling Nepalese CPN(UML) said on Sunday.
Pradeep Gyawali, Secretary of CPN(UML), also urged the Narendra Modi government to address the recent strain in the ties on a “priority basis”, asserting if India wants to play a role in world politics, it will have to first have cordial relations with its neighbours.
“We want to take forward relationship with India based on equality and same applies to China...We will not accept big brother attitude. Our opposition to India’s big brother attitude does not mean we are inviting some other country to behave that way. Relations have to be equal [balanced] is what we feel,” Mr. Gyawali told PTI.
“India is an emerging power. If India wants to play a role in world politics, it will have to first form cordial relationships with neighbouring countries. Otherwise, its role will be questioned and challenged.
“So, we want Indian Government to review its position and address the problems which have surfaced [after Nepal adopted the new Constitution]. We will expect India respects our sovereignty, right of Nepalese people to take care of its own problems,” he added.
Mr. Gyawali said Nepal and China enjoy “good” rapport and the latter has “never interfered” in political changes in the country. He maintained Beijing’s assistance to Kathmandu in recent times was mainly because of the friendship between the two nations and that there is “no political interest involved”.
“Their assistance to us during earthquake, during this economic blockade is only due to our friendship, there is no political interest involved in it.
“Though Nepal shares good relations with China, this cannot be equated with its ties with India due to people-to-people and cultural connect between New Delhi and Kathmandu,” he said.
“Our economic viabilities cannot be with China as our rivers flow towards [India]. If we produce hydroelectricity, India is the only market for it. We can’t sell the energy to China. So, we don’t understand why Indian Government is not able to see this,” he noted.
