Kathmandu: Nepal on Tuesday assured India that
it will not allow its territory to be used for anti-India
activities, as New Delhi raised security concerns, including
the use of its land to inject counterfeit currency into the
country.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who is on a
visit to Kathmandu, said India and Nepal are in constant touch
with each other over issues linked to security concerns.
"We are ready to assist Nepal in addressing our shared
security concern based on the request made by Nepal," Rao told
reporters here, wrapping up her two-day maiden visit to
Kathmandu today as the Foreign Secretary.
The top Indian diplomat said she had raised India`s
security concerns with officials and the use of Nepalese
territory for anti-India activities and the Nepalese side
unequivocally reiterated their commitment that such activities
will not be allowed.
She said that the issue of fake Indian currency being
pushed into India also figured during her talks with Home
Minister Bhim Rawal. The Nepalese side assured her that they
will take necessary measures in the matter.
Nepal has assured that they will investigate all such
case as seriously as the government of India does, she
stressed.
Rao, who met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today,
expressed confidence that the relations between the two
countries will grow from "strength to strength".
"We (India) are committed to consolidating multi-party
democracy in Nepal, moving ahead with the peace process and
helping in (executing) developmental projects," Rao said after
her 45-minute meeting with the Prime Minister at his official
residence here.
The Foreign Secretary said the two neighbours have
signed various agreements during Nepal`s visit to New Delhi
last month and that both are working together closely to see
how the joint venture projects are implemented fast.
Rao said the Nepal government has assured that it will
take all necessary measures to ensure security for Indian
priests at the famous Pashupatinath Temple, who were assaulted
by the Maoists` protesting against their appointment at the
Hindu shrine.
Religious and cultural ties have drawn people of India
and Nepal together since time immemorial and the
politicisation of this issue would be regrettable and would
not be conducive to the atmosphere of good relations, stressed
Rao, who offered prayers at the holy shrine today and met
officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).
"The government of Nepal has conveyed its regret over
the recent unfortunate incident and they have also assured
that all measures would be taken to ensure the security and
well being of the Indian priests and continuation of regular
prayers at the revered temple," she told journalists here.
She said bilateral Home Secretary-level meeting is
scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from November 6-7 to
address matters relating to security. The entire gamut of
bilateral security issues will be addressed during the
meeting, she told reporters.
Bureau Report
