Pranab to attend seminar on Indo-Nepal relations in UP tomorrow

New Delhi, Sep 25 (UNI) Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee will pay a visit to Uttar Pradesh tomorrow to inaugurate a seminar on 'India and Nepal : Partners for Democracy and Development' at Varanasi.

The two-day seminar has been organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the State Government.

Mr Dev Gurung, Minister of Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly of Nepal will lead a 30-member Nepalese delegation for participation in this discussion.

The discussion will also see the participation of a large number of academicians, think tanks, representatives of industry, intelligentsia, journalists, civil society and senior officials from Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country.

The organization of this discussion highlights the importance India attaches to its relations with the neighbouring countries. The objective behind the programme is to discuss key aspects of bilateral relations with special emphasis on 'Consolidation of Peace Process in Nepal', 'Federalism and Drafting a New Constitution' and the Opportunities and Responsibilities presented by an open border between the two countries, an MEA release said here today.

Eminent persons with expertise in above issues have been invited to share their views and insights. Civil society and mediapersons are welcome to attend the seminar.

UNI NAZ RN1758