India has no intention of dominating Nepal: BJP leader

India has no intention of "dominating" Nepal as it recognises the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, senior BJP leader Vijay Chauthaiwale said on Friday. Speaking at the 'Nepal-India Cooperation: Prospects and Challenges' programme in Kathmandu, Chauthaiwale said: "We want to build equitable partnership with Nepal based on mutual benefit."

"India has no intention to dominate Nepal and we do not have any designs against Nepal," said Chauthaiwale, the foreign affairs chief of India's ruling party. Being a sovereign country, Nepal can chart the path for its own future and India is ready to help, he said.

Chauthaiwale asserted India does not have any type of "exploitative intention" when investing in a foreign country. India always helps to nurture local investments, he said. The BJP won an overwhelming majority in the General Elections in India due to the party's strong stand against terrorism, development agenda of Prime Minster Narendra Modi and re-structuring of the party organisation, Chauthaiwale said.

On the occasion, Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri highlighted the different aspects of India-Nepal bilateral relations. Chauthaiwale said Modi's recent visits to Nepal has helped improve bilateral relations, strengthened civilisational and cultural links.

The programme was attended by former Nepal foreign minister Ram Saran Mahat, Rastriya Janata Party leader Mahendra Yadav and former ambassador to India Durgesh Man Singh, among others.