maoists won in the recent Nepal elections. With 220 seats in the 601-member constituent assembly, the
Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) came out as the single largest party and the party leader, Prachanda, is now all set to head the next
government. The outcome appears to have caught many key international players, including India, unawares.
Soon after winning the election, Prachanda said he wanted "constructive" relations with India. He, however, announced that his party wanted to
scrap the Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed by Nepal and India in 1950, which among other issues, also defines the security relations
between the two governments. The party has long condemned the treaty as "unequal pact". Prachanda also said that his party would like to
review other major bilateral pacts, including the Integrated Mahakali Treaty, which details the sharing of waters of the Mahakali or Sharda river for
irrigation and hydel power.
Prachanda ruled out fears that the Maoists' rule will lead to nationalization of major industries and economic hubs, and assured that his party will
work with the private sector to create a friendly environment for foreign investment. The new government's priority would be to bring about
"economic revolution" by promoting capitalism, he said.
There are also concerns that the Maoist's win in Nepal may embolden the ongoing Maoist movement in India.
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