By IRNA,
New Delhi : Against backdrop of increased anti-India activities by Maoists, Nepal Wednesday assured New Delhi that its security concerns would be addressed and vowed not to allow any activity from its soil directed at any neighbouring country.
On its part, India affirmed its commitment to Nepal’s peace process and voiced confidence that the Jhala Nath Khanal in Nepal would be able to draft a new Constitution by the May 28 deadline to take the democratic process forward.
‘Peace process and drafting a Constitution are the twin responsibilities of the Prime Minister of Nepal and I am confident that he will be able to fulfill his responsibility,’ External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who is on a three-day visit to Nepal, told reporters after meeting Nepal’s top leadership, pti reported.
Krishna, who met President Ram Baran Yadav, Premier Khanal and Deputy Premier Bharat Mohan Adhikary, discussed peace, security, bilateral cooperation and current political developments in Nepal with them.
During the talks, Nepal assured India that it would address its security concerns.
Instability and insecurity in Nepal would also pose a threat to India, Khanal’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Milan Raj Tuladhar said, briefing reporters about the talks.
‘The Prime Minister has assured India that Nepal will not allow any activity that would pose threat to India’s security,’ he said.
India also pledged its support to Nepal’s endeavours towards economic development.
‘India has reached certain level of economic development and we want to share our experience with our neighbour,’ Krishna said, adding India wants to build on its partnership with Nepal.
Describing his meeting with Khanal as ‘very friendly and purposeful’, he said he was ‘completely satisfied’ with the discussions he had with the Nepalese leaders.
‘The Prime Minister of Nepal referred to the unique friendly relations between Nepal and India which we totally identify with,’ Krishna said.
The relations between the two countries would be further strengthened by frequent exchange of bilateral visits, he added.
Tuladhar said that the Prime Minister spoke about the progress made in the peace process and Constitution-drafting during talks with Krishna.
‘We have been discussing with the Maoists to work out modalities for smooth integration of their combatants (with the Nepalese army),’ he said quoting the Prime Minister.
All political parties including the Nepali Congress have inched closer to consensus on taking the peace process to a logical conclusion, he said.
The Nepalese Prime Minister expressed confidence that the peace process would be completed within the stipulated time frame, Tuladhar said, adding India is also concerned about peace and stability in Nepal.
During his talks with Krishna, Khanal extended an invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Nepal.
The Premier also accepted an invitation by Singh to visit India at the earliest, he said.
The dates of the Prime Minister’s India visit would be worked out through diplomatic channels, Tuladhar said.
During Krishna’s meeting with Adhikary, who is also Nepal’s Finance Minister, the two sides discussed the entire gamut of Nepal–India relations.
Issues like economic cooperation, trade and investment, Nepal’s peace process and Constitution-drafting figured prominently during the meeting.
India renewed its commitment to Nepal’s peace process and Constitution-drafting, Nepalese Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai, who was also present during the talks, said.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand trade and investment, he said.
During the meeting, the two leaders also took stock of various agreements reached during then Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s visit to India in August 2009, Bhattarai said.
They agreed to activate the bilateral mechanism in order to expand mutual cooperation and trade.
Earlier on his arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, Krishna said India accorded highest priority to its ties with Nepal and was committed to working with people here for stability, democracy and economic prosperity of this country.
‘We are in Kathmandu to strengthen economic cooperation and contribute to Nepal’s development,’ said Krishna, who was accompanied by a seven-member delegation including Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
He said that India was committed to working with the people of Nepal for peace, stability, democracy and economic prosperity of this country.
The External Affairs Minister is also scheduled to visit Birgunj, where he would lay the foundation stone for an Integrated Check Post and Terai Fast Track Road, which are being built under Indian assistance.
‘These projects will contribute towards Nepal’s international trade and economic development,’ he said.
This is Krishna’s second visit to Nepal after assuming the charge of the ministry and first after Khanal took over as the Prime Minister.
The visit also came amidst increased anti-India activities of Maoists, an ally of the current Khanal government, and growing attacks on Indian companies in Nepal.
Incidents like showing black flags to the Indian envoy, shouting anti-India slogans and even defacing Indian flags at public places by the Maoist cadres have intensified and New Delhi’s Ambassador Rakesh Sood has already raised the issue with Nepalese authorities.