India ready to help Nepal peace process: Mukherjee
Highlighting Government of India's commitment to supporting the peace process, Indian envoy to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee symbolically handed over to the Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, and UNMIN head Ian Martin, vehicles, communication equipment, food material, tents and generators at a function held at Embassy of India Friday.
Addressing the function, envoy Mukherjee reiterated that India wished to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal. He also stressed India's commitment to support in whatever manner possible the efforts aimed at creating a new, pluralistic and inclusive Nepal in accordance with the wishes of the people of Nepal.
The supplies by India to Nepal on the latter's request comprise the first two of the four phases of supplies of the entire package, which includes more than 1,000 vehicles, 1639 VHF hand held sets, 892 VHF Trans receivers, 6,800 Metric Tonnes of rice, sugar and skimmed milk, 2000 tents and 20 generators. India would bear the cost of the entire package, estimated at present to be around Rs 1.12 billion.
The vehicles and communication equipment to be used by police are meant for enhancing its capability to discharge duties more effectively in the run up to the Constituent Assembly elections. The vehicles to be used by the UN will facilitate its functioning to implement its mandate in the peace process in Nepal.
This assistance is in addition to the economic assistance package that was announced when Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala visited India in June 2006. nepalnews.com ia Feb 23 07
