Nepal Foreign Minister leaves for India

Kathmandu, Aug 10 (ANI): Nepal Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala left for New Delhi on Monday morning to prepare the groundwork for the impending visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Koirala flew to New Delhi along with Foreign Secretary Gyan Chandra Acharya and Koirala's Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr Chiranjivi Nepal.

Koirala, who is visiting New Delhi at the invitation of Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna, will discuss issues related to Nepal-India border problems, inundation of Nepali land due to bunds constructed in India, Koshi embankment and the ongoing peace process in Nepal with the Indian leaders.

Kantipur quoted Koirala as, saying that Nepal would ask Delhi to help narrow down Nepal's trade deficit with India. The 1950 Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty will also come up during her visit.

She said the lingering boundary row and the issue of Tarai-based armed outfits, which are a threat to internal security, and increased criminal activities on both sides of the border, will also be discussed. The renewal of the trade treaty with India is also to be finalised.

Issues related to providing transit facilities to Nepali goods and products from adjoining Indian ports and routes, the construction of the Special Economic Zone in Birgunj and Indian assistance for Bagmati conservation are among the major agendas.

During her five-day visit, she will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

She is scheduled to meet Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday.

On Thursday, she will attend various events in Delhi and will leave for Kathmandu on Friday afternoon. (ANI)