India reaffirms commitment to Nepal peace process

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will shortly visit Nepal while India today reaffirmed support to the success of the peace process in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today, invited him to visit Kathmandu.

Dr Singh accepted the invitation, Foreign Secretary Shivshanker Menon said at a press conference.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the day-long meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers, the Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister expressed determination to work with Nepalese government for peace and development in the Himalayan kingdom.

The two leaders also briefly reviewed bilateral issues, Mr Menon said.

India had yesterday welcomed the formation of the Interim government in Nepal under the leadership of Mr Koirala describing it as another step towards implementation of the peace process.

''While continuing our support to the people and political parties in Nepal to carry forward the peace process, the government of India looks forward to working with the interim government to further strengthen india's traditionally close and mutually-beneficial relations with Nepal,'' an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

At today's meeting, the two Prime Ministers also discussed the situation in Terai.

Dr Singh said India had already strengthened its border controls.

Both the leaders agreed to carry forward the things that are in the interest of the two countries.

The Prime Minister hoped that Nepal and Bhutan would be able to resolve all their long-standing issues.

UNI