On May 8, 2009, COCAP volunteer core group organized a discussion series program on Nepal-India Treaty of 1950 at COCAP hall. The chief speaker or the resource person of the program was Dr. Rajan Bhattarai. COCAP volunteers along with a few COCAP board members and other interested individuals were present in the program.
The objectives of the program were as follows:
1.To make the volunteers aware about the Nepal-India Treaty 1950
2.To be aware about its consequences and Nepal’s role regarding this treaty
3.To be aware about it’s positive and negative aspects
4.To analyze its importance in the present context
The program started with the introduction of the participants at 3:15 pm, which was conducted by COCAP board member Ms. Binita Maharjan . After completion of the introduction session, the floor was handed over to the resource person Dr. Rajan Bhattarai. The important points deliberated by the resource person to participants were as follows:
1.The contemporary social and political context, which led to innovate this treaty of 1950
2.The national and international political context
3.The importance of the treaty and its shortcomings
4.The intentions of India’s foreign policy
5.The socio-economical, political and geo-political status of the two countries, Nepal and India
6.The emerging power of China and India
7.This was the historical and beneficial treaty for India to be safe from communism and China
8.These sorts of treaty are beyond the treaty rule of UNO.
9.Some of the points of this treaty are defunct due to practicing problem.
10.This treaty was drafted by India only
Dr. Rajan Bhattarai made the participants aware about the above points. The treaty was only in favor of India. According to Dr. Bhattarai the treaty must be amended according to present context to make Nepal free from the semi-colony of India. In addition, all the political parties and leaders must have common views regarding foreign plans and polices. This is the right time to develop the national consensus to make foreign policy.
The participants raised more than 10 questions. Dr. Bhattarai answered all the questions raised from the floor. Finally, the Chairman of COCAP Mr. Deepak Bhattarai gave vote of thanks and concluded the program.
