HONG KONG, May 8:
UCPN (Maoist) leader Baburam Bhattarai has urged China to partner with India to invest in Nepal´s hydropower sector.
At a meeting with Chinese leaders , including Guo Yezhou, vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Chengdu, Bhattarai also urged China to expand Tibet railway to Nepal.
In a telephone conversation with Republica, Bhattarai said he discussed with Chinese leaders the concept of developing Nepal as a vibrant bridge between China and India. On the other hand, Guo expressed China´s concerns over Nepal´s support to maintaining peace and stability in Tibet.
“The Chinese leaders said China wants to ensure stability and development in Asia by building a good relationship with India after sorting out all border issues,” said Bhattarai. “When I said that Nepal could be a vibrant bridge between China and India, they expressed curiosity toward the concept.”
Bhattarai said he explained that Nepal could be a vibrant bridge between China and India. Tibetan railway needs to be expanded up to India and north-south highways must be built along rivers like Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali. Second, China and India should join hands to develop hydropower projects in Nepal. Similarly, holy shrines like Lumbini and Kailash Mansarovar should be developed by all the three countries, he said.
Bhattarai said Chinese leaders were not concerned about the type of federalism Nepal would adopt in the new constitution. “They were just concerned about mutual understanding and cooperation among the parties for writing a new constitution,” he said.
In his maiden China visit, Bhattarai has limited his journey to Tibet and Sichuan province of China. However, while talking to Republica, a noticeably exuberant Bhattarai said that he will soon go on yet another visit to Beijing. “Even though I was on a personal visit, I had fruitful meetings,” he said. “We also discussed my next visit to China. Next time, my visit will be more formal.”
Having spent a night in Chengdu, Bhattarai, accompanied by his wife, daughter and father, reached Lhasa on Thursday. He also held political meetings with Chinese leaders in Lhasa. After spending a night in Shigatse, he will head for Mansarovar with his family.
Source : Republica
