Krishna Commences Three-Day Nepal Visit

On a three-day visit to Nepal, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has arrived in Kathmandu, reported PTI.

During the visit, the two countries will sign four agreements entailing India’s developmental assistance to Nepal with the objective of enhancing and diversifying bilateral ties. It’s Krishna’s first visit to Nepal as External Affairs Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala received Krishna at the airport, said report.

“This first visit of mine is to further strengthen bilateral relations and extend it to other areas which have not been covered so far,” Krishna was quoted as saying on his arrival in Kathmandu.

The report said that he minister noted that the two countries have civilisational links and have cordial relations. “India’s foreign policy gives topmost priority to Nepal,” he was quoted as saying.

Koirala described Krishna’s visit as ‘very important’, for it was after a long time that a high-level Indian leader had come to Nepal and noted that issues like Nepal’s peace process and stability would figure prominently in her discussions with Krishna.

“We hope we will get support from India,” Koirala was quoted as saying in response to a query about the role Nepal expected India to play in the strengthening of its peace process.

“Our first priority is stability (of Nepal)… Without stability we cannot have development and India is willing to invest (for development of Nepal),” she was quoted as saying.

Of the four pacts two countries are to sing, one is for construction of a road in Terai and another in power sector. Terai road, that will provide better connectivity with India, will be built at a cost of Rs. 680 crore. And pact in power sector entails electrification of five villages in Nepal.

In addition, MoUs will also be signed for establishment of a Scientific and Research Centre in Nepal and providing Central Depository System facility for Nepal Stock Exchange.