Indian Minister Mukherjee, UK Minister Foster in capital

KATHMANDU, Nov 24 - Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrived here in the capital on Monday for a three- day visit.

Minster Mukherjee, who is leading an 11-member delegation, is expected to discuss entire gamut of bilateral issues including trade, transit, border problems and cooperation in water resources, financial assistance ...

“On behalf of the people and government of India and on my own behalf, I compliment the people of Nepal for turning a new page in the transition to multiparty democracy in the country’s history through the successful completion of Constituent Assembly elections,” said the Indian Minister.

While extending good wishes to Nepali people for their historical effort of writing a new constitution, reflecting the wishers and aspirations of all the people of Nepal, Mukherjee said his country will continue to stand by the Nepali people in their transition to multiparty democracy and to extend such support as they desire.

The Indian Minister hoped that his visit will help to realise the full potential of the historic and friendly relations between India and Nepal thereby enabling the people of both the countries to live better livers in the coming days.

 During his visit, Mukherjee is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Vice-President Paramananda Jha, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Nemwang and also Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-UML General Secretary Jhalanath Khanal.

Mukherjee, who came to Nepal on the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart, is due to attend a dinner reception to be hosted by President Yadav in his honour tonight, sources said.

During his meetings with PM Dahal and his Foreign Minister Yadav, the two sides is expected to review the 22-point agreement signed between India and Nepal in September when Dahal went to India for the first time after assuming office.

Besides, the Indian Minister will inspect progress made in the containment of the damaged Koshi barrage embankment and will attend the ministerial level meeting of Nepal-India foreign affairs during his stay.

This is the first high-level visit of Indian minister after the formation of the government under the leadership of the CPN-Maoist.

Meanwhile, coinciding with Mukherjee’s visit, British Minister for International Development Mike Foster also arrived here in Kathmandu today for a four-day visit.

Issuing a press statement, Minister Foster said that this is an important time for Nepal after the formation of the new government after successful elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA).

The visiting British minister appealed to all the parties concerned to continue to work together to create a new constitution, and deliver peace and development to the people.

Informed that the UK government is committed to working with the new government, he said he is looking forward to discussing the strategy for peace building and poverty reduction.

The British minister said that he will meet Prime Minister Dahal, and members of the cabinet and CA members, donors, the private sector and people in communities.

“I will travel to the Terai Plans to see the effects o f the recent flooding and to the Himalaya region where I will be able see myself the impact of global warming in Nepal,” said the British minister in the statement.