INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT
|
|
|
Goodwill Visit
Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee completed his short goodwill visit
By A CORRESPONDENT
Nepal and India have many commonalities as well as differences over many issues. Following the April 2006 successful movement, Nepalese political parties which received blessings from India are now in power.
Even so called most anti-Indian hard core Communist leaders including those from CPN-UML see the visit by the Indian minister as a gesture of goodwill. “The visit of Indian external affairs minister is gesture of friendship. This is not proper time to raise the issues of differences including some treaties,” said deputy prime minister K.P.Sharma Oli.
 |
Mukherjee (left) with PM Koirala : Tere a tete
|
Although his meeting was short, India ’s foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit was very meaningful. In his few hours of stay in Kathmandu on December 17, Indian foreign minister Mukherjee met with prime minister and other leaders of major political parties.
Following the political change of April 2006, Mukherjee is the first high level minister to visit Nepal . Although Indian foreign secretary visited Nepal with the same mission a few weeks ago, Mukherjee’s visit is more important in the context of fast political development.
“I am also privileged to be the first Union Minister from India visiting Nepal after the far-reaching political changes that were ushered in by the people of Nepal earlier this year. Since then, the people of Nepal through their political leaders have successfully taken a number of steps to consolidate peace and democracy, in the form of various understanding and agreements. This has amply proved that the people of Nepal who have taken their destiny in their own hands, can successfully address the challenging tasks ahead,” said Mukherjee. “My visit in Nepal is in the context of the forthcoming 14th SAARC summit, which will be held in New Delhi on 3-4 April 2007.”
During his visit, Indian external affairs minister Mukherjee also met prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Nepali Congress Democratic leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal .
“We discussed the progress in implementing the decisions taken during the visit of Nepalese prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The economic package that was announced during that visit has been largely implemented. There have been some other requests for assistance in terms of logistical equipment and I was happy to inform prime minister Koirala our agreement to provide these also,” said Mukherjee.
Nepalese side, along with others, demanded some security assistance for armed police. “We have discussed on number of issues. I am very happy that Indian foreign minister agreed to provide all necessary support to Nepal ,” said deputy prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli.
Indian minister came to Nepal just a day after seven parties and Maoists agreed on an interim constitution. “It is up to Nepalese people to decide what kind of constitution they want. India welcomes the decision taken by seven parties,” said Mukherjee.
“Today, when Nepal stands at the threshold of a new and brighter future, India, as always, remains committed to supporting all efforts that are aimed at achieving peace, democracy and development in Nepal,” said India’s external affairs minister.
|
