Kathmandu: Amid a deadlock over government
formation here, India on Tuesday said it is committed to working
with Nepalese political leaders for a democratic, stable and
peaceful Nepal, which is being run by a caretaker
administration for over six months.
This was stated by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who
arrived here today on a three-day visit during which she is
expected to discuss the political situation in Nepal.
Rao, the first high-ranking Indian official to visit
Kathmandu this year, will call on President Ram Baran Yadav,
caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Constituent
Assembly Speaker Subhash Nemwang later today. Tomorrow, she
will hold talks with top political leaders, including
opposition Maoist chief Prachanda.
On Thursday, the Foreign Secretary will meet Deputy
Premier and Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.
During her meetings, she will discuss the entire gamut of
bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest for
expanding and strengthening ties between the two sides, Rao
said on her arrival at the airport here.
"India is committed to working with political leaders here
for a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal," she
said.
Her visit here came days after President Yadav asked
Nepalese political parties to reach a consensus on forming a
national government before January 21.
It also followed the UN Mission in Nepal's (UNMIN) exit
from this country's peace process on the midnight of January
15.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 14:13