Visit of the Foreign Secretary,
Mr. Shivshankar Menon to Nepal
(New Delhi; December 1, 2006)
The Foreign
Secretary of India Mr. Shivshankar Menon paid a visit to Kathmandu from 29
November – 1 December 2006 at the invitation of the Acting Foreign Secretary of
Nepal Mr. Bhagirath Basnet.
During the visit, the Foreign Secretary had wide-ranging and fruitful
discussions on a range of issues of mutual interest with senior political
dignitaries and officials of Nepal. He was received by Hon’ble Prime Minister
Mr. Koirala, Speaker of House of Representatives Mr. Nemwang, Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Oli and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sherchan and
Ministers Dr. Mahat, Mr. Tripathi and Mr. Sitaula. He also had discussions on
the current political situation in Nepal with senior leaders of political
parties of Nepal, including President of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Mr. Sher
Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary of CPN (UML) Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal, President
of Rashtriya Janshakti Party Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa and President of Rashtriya
Prajatantra Party Mr. Pashupati S.J.B. Rana, and also a cross section of
representatives of civil society and other leaders.
All these
meetings took place in a friendly and cordial environment that characterises
India-Nepal relations.
The visit of Foreign Secretary was the first by a senior Indian official after
the historic changes ushered in by the People’s Movement of April 2006 and the
signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on 21 November 2006. It provided an
opportunity to discuss the progress and future possibilities in the
wide-ranging, close and multidimensional ties between India and Nepal,
especially in the context of the landmark visit of Prime Minister Mr. Koirala to
India in June 2006. Foreign Secretary reiterated the commitment of the
Government of India to further strengthen the close, historical and friendly
relations with Nepal, which are a matter of highest priority for India.
Foreign
Secretary’s discussions in Kathmandu over the last two days strengthen India’s
belief that the people of Nepal can successfully address the challenging tasks
ahead related to democratic nation building. The international community can
make a positive contribution by supporting these efforts. As ever, India is
ready to support all efforts aimed at promoting peace, democracy and development
in Nepal, where its people are able to choose the manner in which they wish
their country to be governed and developed without fear of intimidation and
coercion.
Kathmandu
1 December 2006