NEW DELHI: Ties between India and neighbouring Nepal was debated on Friday afternoon in a programme organised by B P Chintan Pratisthan Bharat here. “Relationship between the two countries is very old. Unlike other countries, it is a relationship of culture, blood ties, water, and of course trade,” convener Sandeep Rana said, adding that the old relationship is now limited to ties between Delhi and Kathmandu.Remembering late Prime Minister of Nepal B P Koirala, Rana said, “He was not only a leader of Nepal, but he was a role model for India and the world.”
Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh said that the new generation will have to come forward to improve the relationship. “I don’t want to go into the past. The relationship will be strengthened if the youth comes forward and take initiatives,” said Singh, adding that India has always helped Nepal at the time of crisis and differences between the two countries should be resolved.
Actress and social activist Manisha Koirala, granddaughter of B P Koirala, said, “When (Narendra) Modiji came to Nepal, he said that there is not a single war that India has fought without shedding Gorkha blood. That is a huge statement. It means our bond is very strong, our friendship is very deep. Nepal is going through an existential crisis. And if we consider B P Koirala a visionary leader, probably he was referring to a situation like this.”She also talked about the relationship between the late leader and Jayaprakash Narayan. “BP had a very good friend in JP. They used to co-operate with each other at the time of struggle,” she said.