Outlook English - Print Subscribers Copy Outlook English, 16 April 2018 | Page 23

(United Marxist-Leninist) became the
largest party in last year’s parliamen-
tary elections in Nepal, Oli returned
as PM. Prachanda, ironically, is now
his coalition partner and there is seri-
ous negotiation between the two for a
merging the two Communist parties.
F
OR all his strong stand in the past, Oli
now wants to mend ties with India. “I
am visiting India to strengthen bilat-
eral relations,” he told the Nepalese
media. He also stressed that “India will
play a supportive role in Nepal’s devel-
opment”, while also affirming China’s
support for the country’s development.
Most observers see Oli’s visit as part of
the India-Nepal rapprochement. “His
attempt is to put aside past
differences and start afresh,”
says Rae.
Nepal’s former ambassador
to New Delhi, Bhek Bahadur
Thapa, concurs. He points out
the need for a ‘reset’ in ties
and says this is a “good oppor-
tunity”, since Oli represents a
government with a new man-
date. “The two sides now need
an enhanced connectivity and
trust-based communication,”
adds Thapa.
The initiative for this new
beginning, however, came
from the Indian Prime Minis-
ter. It was Narendra Modi who
called Oli to congratulate him
soon after his victory in the parliamen-
tary polls. The phone call was followed
by Indian foreign minister Sushma
Swaraj’s visit to Kathmandu even bef­
ore Oli was