By IRNA,
New Delhi : India and Nepal are expected to ink five pacts and are also likely to discuss the issue of alleged Indian “encroachment” in border areas as External Affairs Minister S M Krishna arrives in Kathmandu on his first official visit Friday.
During Krishna’s three-day visit, five MoUs are likely to be signed between Nepal and India that will include assistance in construction of infrastructure in Nepal, PTI reported quoting sources at Indian Embassy in Nepal.
The MoUs will include agreements on establishment of a Nepal Police Academy, upgrading of Nepal Stock Exchange, construction of roads in Hulaki or Terai Fast-track roads, establishment of a Scientific and Technical Research Centre and projects on rural electrification.
The issue of border-related problems will also feature during the high-level talks to be held here during the visit of Krishna, who will meet President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and hold bilateral parleys with his counterpart Sujata Koirala.
Ahead of the visit, the Maoists have intensified protests in the areas bordering India against what they allege is “encroachment” of territory by the Indian side.
Krishna will also hold meetings with top leaders of political parties including Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda and CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal.
Krishna will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Joint Secretary North Satish Mehta during the visit.
The official visit, Krishna’s first to Nepal after assuming office, will also provide India the opportunity to take first-hand stock of the situation in Nepal as the country passes through a crucial transition to democratic republic.
A Nepal’s Foreign Ministry official said the matters on following up the decisions taken during Prime Minister Nepal’s visit to Delhi in August last year will be taken up, besides holding bilateral talks on mutual interest.
The visit also comes at a time when Maoist chief Prachanda has lashed out at India alleging that there was growing “interference” in Nepalese affairs by foreign powers.
The visit is termed here as significant as Nepal is struggling to achieve political stability and move ahead with the peace process to consolidate democratic achievements by drafting a new constitution.