India reassures Nepal of continued cooperation

KATHMANDU, AUG. 18. Reassuring the new dispensation in Nepal that India continued to attach importance to strengthening relations with Kathmandu, the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, today sought lasting relations between the two countries. Mr. Singh, who is on a three-day goodwill visit, held wide-ranging discussions with the Nepalese Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, and a cross-section of Nepali leaders on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and prospects for further consolidating them.

The Minister, who arrived here on Friday, reiterated India's commitment to the principles of sovereign equality and respect for each other's concerns, sensitivities and aspirations.

The need for coordinated efforts at border management, joint action to prevent terrorists and infiltrators and examining prospects for greater trade and commercial ties figured in the talks.

This is India's first high-level political contact with the new Nepalese leadership since the gunning down of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family in the palace massacre on June one. Mr. Singh's engagements began with a meeting with the former Prime Minister, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala, the president of the influential Nepali Congress. He also met the Agriculture Minister, Mr. Mahendra Acharya, the former Prime Minister, Mr. K. P. Bhattarai, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal.

``I have come here as a friend, a long-standing friend of Nepal. I have also come as an ambassador of goodwill and (to promote) lasting good relations between the two countries,'' he told presspersons.

Mr. Deuba said ``I feel honoured that India, a very friendly country, has sent its Foreign Minister to enhance our bilateral ties. I want India's support to reduce trade imbalance.''

Soon after his arrival, Mr. Singh visited the famous Pashupatinath temple. He will call on King Gyanendra tomorrow.

- PTI

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