Kathmandu:A top Maoist leader in Nepal has demanded the abrogation of the landmark 1950 Peace and Friendship Treaty with India, saying the issue will form a key part of the agenda for discussion during the visit of Prime Minister Prachanda to New Delhi next week.
C P Gajurel, senior politburo member of CPN-Maoist, said Nepal will take up the review of the Kosi barrage pact of 1954 and the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 with India during the Prime Minster s five-day visit to New Delhi scheduled from September 14. As there is no provision to review the 1950 treaty, we will demand the abrogation of the old pact and replace it with a new one, stressed Gajurel, who is also the chief of the CPN-Maoist party s foreign affairs committee.
He said the Prime Minister s visit will not be limited to formalities, but issues linked to Nepal s "national interest" will be raised forcefully. The Maoists, who waged a decade-long insurgency, formed the first post-royal government on August 22,ending months of political deadlock over power sharing. The top Maoist leader underlined that Nepal will also raise the issue of "border encroachments" by India. He said there are reports of alleged encroachment in 66 places along Indo-Nepal border and it needs to be verified.
