Krishna to work for impasse end
KATHMANDU, APR 19 -
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is arriving in Kathmandu on Wednesday on a three-day visit to discuss a number of bilateral and political issues including Indian security concerns, problems facing Indian joint ventures and the political impasse in Nepal.
The Nepali side is expected to seek support for peace, consitution and the government’s durability, officials privy to his visit told the Post. Krishna will hold talks with Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, Chairman of UCPN(Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President of Nepali Congress Sushil Koirala and some influential Madhesi leaders. Krishna’s visit is likely to pave the way for Prime Minister Khanal’s India visit, possibly in the first week of May.
PM Khanal will seek Indian support for Nepal’s peace and constitution drafting process, said his Foreign Relations Advisor Milan Raj Tuladhar. “The PM will also inform Krishna about the work done on the peace process, and efforts to expand the current government into a broad-based alliance.” Khanal will seek additional Indian aid for various sectors, including Indian concessions on bilateral trade to help narrow down the bugeoning trade deficit.
This would be Krishna’s second visit to Nepal after taking office of the Indian Foreign Minister in 2009.
“The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level interactions between the two countries,” said an Indian Embassy statement.
India will raise the urgency of signing the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and recently updated extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance with Nepal, said informed sources.
India will also request to sign the strip maps of Nepal-India boundary, except the Kalapani and Susta portions which remain disputed.
Source:The KAthmandupost
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