Kathmandu, July 20 (IANS) Days ahead of a visit by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties, an Indian proposal for the development of Nepal’s abundant water resources has triggered a row in the Himalayan nation with many political parties opposing it contending it was not in Nepal’s national interest. At a closed-door meeting here over the weekend, several former energy ministers of Nepal opposed the Indian proposal to develop Nepal’s hydro power sector and said “it is a bid to make Nepal another Bhutan”. The embassy, seeking to refute the charges, said in a statement: “Several Nepali media outlets on Sunday picked the Indian proposal as dominating stories quoting some energy experts and political leaders that it undermines Nepal’s sovereign right to develop its hydropower potential in Nepal.” “In no way does the draft constrain Nepal’s sovereign right to develop its hydropower potential.” “The proposal forwarded by India is a draft for discussion and would require bilateral negotiations prior to finalization,” said the statement, adding that both sides are free to propose amendments or modifications.
Source: https://in.news.yahoo.com/uproar-nepal-over-indian-energy-proposal-111004042.html