Kathmandu: The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), J.P. Nadda, has commended the Maoists for their significant role in Nepal’s political transformation. During his visit to India, the Maoist Vice-Chairman Phampha Bhushal, who was visiting under the invitation of the BJP, had a meeting with Nadda for about an hour and Nadda openly praised the Maoists for their role in Nepal.

This visit to the BJP was the second high-level visit of the Maoists. It indicates the growing relations between the Maoists and the BJP. Recently, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda had a warm conversation, which indicates the strengthening of relations between the Maoists and the BJP.

During the visit aimed at improving relations between the Maoists and the BJP, Chairman Nadda had mentioned that he is willing to make further contributions for the interests of both countries through expanding relations between the two parties. The delegation members and Maoist secretary Chakrapani Khanal informed that fruitful discussions were held with the BJP President and other leaders.

“He appreciated the role played by the Maoists for Nepal’s political transformation,” said the Maoist leaders spoked with nepalpage, adding that they expressed happiness for the expansion of relations between the two countries and parties.

One year ago, the Maoist Chairman Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda had visited India at the invitation of . the Chairman of the BJP, Nadda. Since then, there have been formal/informal discussions between the Maoists and the BJP.

During this visit, Maoist leaders requested Nadda to take initiatives for implementing the agreement reached during the visit of Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal Prachanda. “Initiate the implementation of the agreement reached during the Prime Minister’s visit, which includes cooperation on issues like hydropower in Nepal and other agreements,” Khanal said.

They also discussed the expansion of relations between the Maoists and the BJP. Nadda expressed that the extension of friendly relations with the Maoists was in the best interests of both parties and both countries.

During the visit, there were historical discussions between Bhushal and the BJP President. Bhushal wrote on social media, “The meeting with the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was very fruitful and historic. The experience gained from the relationship between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) and the BJP is important.”

According to Maoist leaders during the visit, there is a possibility of a meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

A five-members team on Sunday heard from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vijay Chauthaiwale, the head of the BJP’s foreign department, met them at the New Delhi International Airport. Members of the trip comprised Suresh Kumar Rai, Rameshwar Ray Yadav, and secretary Khanal and Satya Pahadi of the standing committee member.

The Maoist leaders interacted with the BJP, organizing various programs, including organization and women’s departments. “We have learned how the BJP has organized and managed farmers’ issues in India,” said Bhushal.

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the Maoist senior vice-chairman/foreign department chief and Deputy Prime Minister/Home Minister, stated that the policy of the Maoists is to expand relations with other parties of Nepal and other countries. “Our party and the parties of other countries are expanding relations as per the policy,” he said, “We also had a good meeting with the BJP. Sometimes the BJP visited us, and sometimes we visited them. I am very excited.”

Lokraj Baral, a professor of political science, believes that the Maoists and the BJP have more pragmatic than ideological reasons for expanding relations. “The relationship between the Indian government and the government led by the Maoists in Nepal is important for membership. While leading the government in both places, they had relations with the powerful party in India,” he said.

During PM Prachanda’s visit to India, he had put a saffron scarf around his neck at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, which was criticized by the Communist supporters . Prachanda defended himself on the issue of visiting the ‘religious path,’ saying that he had gone to Ujjain in his personal capacity. He had criticized those who criticized him, saying that he had not seen any photo of anyone going to worship.

Vijay Chauthaiwale, the head of the BJP’s foreign department, has held discussions with the Maoist leaders in Kathmandu at different times.