The Hindu : New Delhi News : Cordial relations with Nepal important, says Sharad Yadav

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Cordial relations with Nepal important, says Sharad Yadav

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The importance of maintaining friendly relations with the victorious Maoists in Nepal was the subject of a discussion here on Wednesday between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav, who is also chairman of the India-Nepal Friendship Society.

Following this, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon met Mr. Yadav at his residence for over an hour on Thursday where Mr. Yadav is learnt to have emphasised the need for cordial relations with Nepal with which India has a long shared border.

Special attention

Mr. Yadav later told reporters that in the JD (U)’s view India needs to pay special attention to Nepal with which it shares a common cultural bond, traditionally strong relations, and geographical interdependence as many rivers that flow through the country originate in Nepal. “India should be supportive of the new democratic process,” he emphasised. The two countries, he said, could together take up a number of projects to mitigate power and water shortages.

All praise for Prachanda

Mr. Yadav was all praise for the Maoist leader Prachanda pointing out that 60 per cent of his party’s tickets were given to people belonging to weaker sections of Nepalese society and he was “hugely popular” with the poor in Nepal. The meeting with the Prime Minister lasted 20 minutes during which Dr. Singh recalled that on an earlier occasion Mr. Yadav had predicted a good electoral showing by the Maoist party.

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