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India for regional integration: Jairam Ramesh

Special Correspondent

PATNA: Focusing on increasing regional cooperation and trade, Delhi views the changes in Nepal as a historic opportunity to build a new relationship with Kathmandu.

Delivering the valedictory address of the two-day seminar ‘Emerging Trends in India-Nepal Relations,’ on Sunday, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said India could not be global without strengthening regional linkages. The session was chaired by Deputy Chairman, Bihar Planning Board, N.K. Singh, MP.

He said India had an open mind and was against imposing its views on any south Asian country. New Delhi’s objective was regional integration with these countries for better trade ties to help each take advantage of the other. “They can participate in the Indian economy and benefit from the process.”

He said that even within the SAARC there was a need for a mechanism to facilitate sub-regional interactions between States such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with Nepal and the northeast with Bangladesh. This would help the States address crucial issues such as floods.

Mr. Ramesh said political differences could be sorted out through dialogue. It should not hold up trade and affect the economic interests of countries in the region.

Mr. Ramesh, who also holds the power portfolio, considered power an instrument for integrating the region. He said he had embarked on the diplomacy of electricity to strengthen India’s ties with its neighbours.

Power projects

Water resource was emerging as the most important area for cooperation, particularly with Nepal in which India was making commendable headway. He said the Indian companies GMR group and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam had bagged the 300 MW Upper Karnali power project and the 400 MW Arun III project in Nepal.

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