Indian envoy meets Koirala

Kathmandu, Oct 29 (UNI) Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence in Baluwatar this morning and discussed bilateral issues and the present political development in the Himalayan nation.

''Bilateral issues and the present political development were discussed during the meeting,'' Dr Suresh Chalise, advisor to the Prime Minister, said.

Mr Koirala also briefed the Ambassador on the ongoing peace process in the country.

The meeting is being held at a time when the seven-party alliance government and the Maoists have been holding talks to resolve the country's political problem and putting an end to insurgency which has claimed over 13,000 lives since 1996.

Meanwhile, Maoists' chief Prachanda also met the Prime Minister today to discuss the high-level meeting between the two sides.

The disarmament of the Maoists, and the future of the monarchy have been the contentious issues during the talks as the government is pressuring the rebels for proper management of arms while the Maoists want a declaration on ending of the monarchy.

The government has said the fate of monarchy will be decided by the constituent assembly, elections for which will be held by June next year.

Nepal's Parliament made drastic changes in the state affairs, including cutting down the power of the King and changes in the Army, after the restoration of Parliament in May through a popular anti-King movement.

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