KATHMANDU, April 5 (Xinhua) — The third meeting of the Eminent Persons Group on Nepal-India Relations (EPG-NIR) begun here Wednesday to review various aspects of bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The two-day meeting will be focused on reviewing the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty (1950) in order to update and revise it in line with the needs of the changing times, according to EPG Coordinator of the Nepalese side Bhes Bahadur Thapa.
The Nepalese side has proposed to review and contextualize the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty which is often termed as the bedrock on modern relations between the two South Asia nations, local media reports said Wednesday.
This time the two sides will have discussions on the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty.
“The meeting is focused on reviewing or revisiting the treaties, agreements and arrangements between the two countries by chalking out a roadmap of the bilateral ties that is characterized by social, economic, religious and cultural aspects,” Executive Director at the EPG Nepalese office Yadav Khanal told the media.
The EPG-NIR is mandated to submit a comprehensive report containing recommendations on various aspects of bilateral issues such as political, security, social, economic, trade, transit, border management and water resources to both governments.
Nepal and India established the EPG-NIR in February 2016. The first meeting of the panel was held in Kathmandu in July 2016 while the second meeting took place in New Delhi in October.