Ahead of his visit to India on September 14, Nepal PM Prachanda has said that the historic 1950 Indo-Nepal trade and transit treaty needs review. Talking with BBC, the Maoist leader said that Nepal has now become a republic after big political changes, therefore the 1950 treaty needs to be reviewed. The much touted review is intended to change the treaty which according to Maoists favors Indian side.

 

The Nepalese Prime Minister said that he would visit India before going to attend the annual session of the UN General Assembly. India is already perturbed with the visit of the Maoist leader to China. Talking about issues inside Nepal, Prachanda said that though there are differences with Army Chief Rukmangad Katuwal, he would not sack him. He added that it would create other problems for Nepal.

 

Nepal PM admitted that he knows the potential of Nepal army and he would avoid any showdown with the country's army. On the issue of merging People's Liberation Army which counts 20,000 with Nepal Army, Prachanda said that his cadres would be given freedom to choose to return home or remain in the profession. He candidly said that he does not know who will join the Army and who wants to return home at this moment.