Kathmandu, Feb 22: India's Foreign Secretary Shashank arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday on a four-day visit to Nepal during which he is expected to discuss economic cooperation and other issues of mutual interest with officials of the Himalayan kingdom. Bilateral relations, economic cooperation and other important matters are expected to be covered during his meetings with Nepalese officials, Indian embassy sources here said.

Besides holding bilateral talks with his counterpart Madhuraman Acharya, Shashank will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa during the visit, his first to Nepal after assuming the post of Foreign Secretary.
This will be his regular visit and there is no specific agenda for it, a Foreign Ministry official here said.
However, matters relating to extradition treaty, criminal activities on the Indo-Nepal border, security and political issues are also likely to be discussed during bilateral meetings. The Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to meet Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepal's Special Representatives at the Foreign Ministry Bhesh Bahadur Thapa.
Besides Kathmandu, Shashank will visit Pokhara in western Nepal, where he will inspect the government of India's pension paying office. King Gyanendra is also likely to grant audience to him. Bureau Report