New Delhi, Nov 24: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee today met his Nepalese counterpart Surya Bahadur Thapa and held wide-ranging talks on issues relating to Saarc as well as important bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. The talks were followed by an informal lunch hosted by Vajpayee for the Nepalese Prime Minister who arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha met Thapa in his hotel. The Nepalese leader also called on Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
On his arrival, Thapa said the future of Saarc should be protected. "We want the Saarc summit should take place properly and Saarc should function effectively so that its future is protected," he said.
Thapa's visit is in keeping with the practice that outgoing Saarc chairman pays a visit to all member countries. His visit is taking place less than two months before the Saarc summit in Islamabad scheduled to be held in January.
Bureau Report