Kathmandu, Oct 18: Ahead of maiden India trip of Premier Baburam Bhattarai, Nepal's ruling Maoists today said only economic issues will be discussed during the "goodwill" visit, which will not touch potential "irritants" like an extradition pact and review of the 1950 friendship treaty.
 It is a goodwill visit and the Prime Minister will only deal with economic issues during the bilateral talks, said Chandra Prakash Gajurel, Secretary of the Maoist party who is close to top hardliner leader Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran'.
 He made it clear that Bhattarai will not touch controversial issues such as "signing of an extradition treaty with India, deploying sky marshals in Indian airplanes at Tribhuvan International Airport, border disputes and reviewing Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 during the bilateral talks."
 As the government is focused on the twin major tasks of concluding the peace process and drafting a new Constitution "we don't want to raise such issues that may cause irritation in the bilateral ties
 with the neighbouring country," Gajurel told reporters ahead of Bhattarai's four-day India visit beginning October 20.
 During his stay in India, Bhattarai would hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and call on President Pratibha Patil, besides meeting other Indian dignitaries. He would also interact with representatives of Indian business community, civil society and intellectuals.
 Gajurel dismissed media reports which claimed that the relations between the Nepalese Maoists and India have become sour at present.
 The invitation sent by government of India to Prime Minister Bhattarai for an official visit itself proves the contrary, he pointed out.
 To a question, Gajurel said Nepal does not favour mediation by any foreign country in accomplishing its twin tasks of concluding the peace process and drafting Constitution.
 He also said that Nepal will seek to import 200 MW hydro-power from India to ease the current power crisis facing the country.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST