India, Nepal firm up political, trade ties

Published on August 23 2009 by uguess

External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna with Nepal's Commerce Minister Rajendra Mahato during the signing of the Indo-Nepal agreement in New Delhi on Friday.

Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, on returning from a five-day visit to India on Saturday, said his trip was a very successful.

Speaking at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, Prime Minister M.K. Nepal briefed the media about achievements of his maiden India tour as the prime minister.

"The visit this time has added new dimension to the existing mutual ties between the two nations," he said, adding "there were also discussions on multidimensional aspects between the two nations. We have analyzed each and every aspect of the mutual relations."

"We have also expressed joint commitment on strengthening the existing ties," local news website eKantipur quoted him as saying, adding "So, in this regard, I believe the tour has been successful in further strengthening the existing relation, the base of understanding and in increasing the Indian aid."

He said the visit has raised the Indo-Nepal Trade Treaty signed in 1996 to a new level.

The Prime Minister also believed that the deal regarding unauthorized trade signed on Saturday will help decrease the loss in trade with India and in return will help expand the Nepali trade and business. He said that discussions on other aspects of the trade deal will be held later.

The Prime Minister said that the Indian leaders, during discussion with him, had expressed wish for lasting peace and prosperity in Nepal.

The Indian government during the course of Nepal's visit had pledged an assistance of 32 billion Nepali rupees (some 400 million U.S. dollars). Nepal remarked that the Indian assistance in itself is an "instance of Indian goodwill."

He also reminisced that he met and discussed with journalists and think-tanks of different regions during his stay in India.

Responding to queries of journalists, Nepal said import of non-lethal materials for the Nepal Army from India also featured during deliberations with the Indian officials.