Reports
have it that with the possibility of signing PTA (Power Trade Agreement) and
Upper Karnali PDA (Project Development Agreement) with India in the near future
getting distanced as hoped by Indian PM Narendra Modi in his freshly concluded
Nepal trip, the Indian Ambassador Ranjit Ray has sought help from the UML
leader Madhav Kumar Nepal to get the job done. Very difficult!
Possibly
disturbed by the fresh utterances of Nepali leaders, Ranjit Ray had met with
Madhav Nepal at his private residence in Koteshwar, Kathmandu, August 21, 2014.
In
the meeting Ambassador Ranjit Ray hoped that prior PM Modi's next visit to
Kathmandu (November to attend the SAARC summit), preparations on 'cooperation
in the hydropower sector' will be done in full while taking into account
existing cordial bilateral relations between the two countries.
If
not will the existing bilateral relationship deteriorate, analysts dare to ask
the Indian envoy.
In
the meantime, the Nepal Communist Party-Maoist led by Baidya has already
declared that it will not allow the government to sign any deals with India.
Interestingly,
there are also rumors in Kathmandu's academic circuit that Finance Minister Ram
Saran, UML Vice Chairman Bhim Rawal and Unified Maoists' Vice Chairman Narayan
Kaji Prakash under the influence of the US had taken stand against signing both
the agreements with India during Modi's Nepal trip.
The
US is particularly concerned over the India imposed draft of the PTA if signed
by Nepal would bar third countries from investing in Nepal's hydropower
resources.
To
recall, at a meeting with Nepal's Finance Minister Ram Saran Mahat, July 31,
2014, Deputy Assistant USTR (US Trade Representative) for South and Central
Asia Mara Burr had asked whether the agreement was intended to bar third
countries form investing in Nepal's hydropower.
On
the other hand, the Chinese are yet to ventilate their official concerns over
the proposed PTA with India.
Source:-
Telegraph Nepal
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