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The Union Cabinet today gave its post-facto approval for opening of Consulate General of India (CGI), Birgunj, Nepal with the aim of safeguarding and promoting India’s long term strategic, political, trade and economic interests.
An estimated annual expenditure of Rs. 1,73,79,200 and one time expenditure of Rs. 32,50,000 will be incurred. The CGI had already been opened during the financial year 2003-04 by temporarily transferring posts from Headquarters and other Missions. The full complement of officers/staff will be posted to the Birgunj in Nepal during the financial year 2004-05 with the creation of additional posts.
The rationale behind the proposal to open a Consulate General of India in Birgunj, Nepal is based broadly on political, security, trade and economic considerations. The Terai belt is extremely important for India. Most of the long porous border with Nepal runs through or along the Terai belt. The region has extensive inter-linkages with India and looks towards India for help and assistance. At the moment, a Rs. 88 crore hospital-cum-medical college is being constructed by India on an outright grant basis. A number of other projects are also in the pipeline. The CGI in Birgunj would have within its jurisdiction a total of 18 districts covering all the districts of the Central Terai, between Nepalganj in the West and Biratnagar in the East and the adjacent districts of the mid-hills. This would further provide the option of seeking additional Consulates in Nepalganj and Biratnagar in the future.
India is also seriously concerned at the spread of Maoist activities in the Terai and the implications for our bordering states, particularly in view of the strong links between Nepalese Maoists and left wing extremist groups in India such as MCC and PWG.
Raxaul/Birgunj is the most important entry point into Nepal. World Bank is in the process of financing an International Container Depot at Birgunj. India has already initiated the process to broad gauge the rail link between Raxaul and Birgunj and a bilateral Railway Agreement is to be formalized soon. This would result in Raxaul/Birgunj becoming the main artery not only for bilateral trade but also for Nepal’s third country trade. Birgunj is the business and most heavily used trade/transit point between India and Nepal.
In addition to the Diplomatic Mission in New Delhi, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has the facility of a Consulate in Kolkata, which is also the designated seaport for Nepalese export to third countries and its important from third countries.
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