Nepal Foreign Minister meets Anand Sharma

New Delhi, Aug 12 (ANI): Visiting Nepal Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala met Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma.

Talking to reporters after the meeting here on Tuesday, Koirala said, "We are taking peace process forward and framing a new Constitution and for that we seek India's assistance. Along with India we will tackle the increasing terrorism and security issues as they are of mutual concern."

Terming China as a close ally and neighbour, Koirala said Nepal wanted to maintain close relations with India.

"We also have good relations with China and it is natural that we share good relations with India because they are our traditional friends. We share common culture and traditions. We feel very close to India and want to enhance our bilateral relations," she said.

Earlier during the day, Koirala met her Indian counterpart S.M Krishna.

Increasing Indian investment in Nepal, more Indian assistance for development activities and matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

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

She will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Koirala's India's visit is her first oversees assignment after assuming office although her 22 party coalition formed out of constituent assembly does not have the mandate to sign any agreements or taking decisions and is essentially in place to promulgate a democratic constitution.

Nepal's Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal is also scheduled to visit India this month.

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