Mukherjee busy in high profile parleys; border issues, development
assistance top agendas
A day after his arrival in Kathmandu, Indian External Affairs Minister
Pranab Mukherjee kept himself busy in high profile meetings Tuesday.
He met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's residence in
Baluwater in the morning and discussed issues of bilateral concerns.
Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, Indian envoy to Nepal Rakesh Sood
and PM Dahal's foreign affairs advisor Hira Bahadur Thapa were present at
the meeting.
Details of the discussion were not made public, but Mukherjee told media
persons after the meeting that the meet was productive and fruitful. He
said his country is ready to extend any support Nepal needs.
According to Thapa, the two reiterated commitments to implement the
agreement reached during the PM Dahal's visit to India, adding that border
encroachment in Kalapani and Susta did not figure out in the discussion.
Mukherjee also expressed commitment to complete the reconstruction of the
Koshi dam within the stipulated period.
After meeting PM Dahal, Mukherjee met Nepali Congress President Girija
Prasad Koirala at the latter's Maharajgunj residence, discussing Nepal's
current political scenario, peace process and constitution-making process.
During the meeting, Mukherjee said India wants peace and political
stability in Nepal and will extend all possible help to ensure the same.
Later in the afternoon, Mukherjee separately called on President Dr Ram
Baran Yadav and Vice President Parmananda Jha at their respective offices.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Nepal and India have discussed a range
of issues including border problem, reconstruction of the damaged Koshi
embankment, extradition treaty and development assistance.
Emerging from a meeting with his Indian counterpart at Shital Niwas,
Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav said there was serious discussion on
problems in border areas like Kalapani and Susta, construction of the
proposed Naumule hydropower project with Indian assistance and cooperation
between the two countries on extradition.
Before returning to New Delhi Wednesday, Mukherjee will visit Sunsari
district to inspect the reconstruction works at the Koshi embankment. nepalnews.com mk/ia Nov 25 08
