Speaking to Indian ministers, which included Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defense Minister A K Anthony and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday, Dr Yadav has said that “continuity” will be given to a wide range of bilateral issues.[break]
“Besides the political developments back home, during the talks with the president the Indian leaders brought out pending issues between the two states including the extradition treaty,” Dr Minendra Rijal, the minister of culture, accompanying the president in the delegation, told Republica. Quoting the president, Dr Rijal added, “Continuity to the outstanding issues will be given by the new government.”
Rijal also informed that the leaders expressed their concerns regarding political instability in Nepal. “They stressed on democratic norms and stability and said that India is behind Nepal in its development efforts that lead to prosperity.”
It is learnt that when Home Minister Chidambaram called upon the president, he highlighted the need for extradition treaty between the two countries which was discussed during outgoing prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s visit.
“The signing of border map, extradition treaty, home-secretary level talks among other issues were discussed during the meeting between the president and home minister,” Madan Bhattarai, the foreign secretary and a member of the Nepali delegation, said.
On Thursday, Nepal’s close ties with Indian state of Bihar was also discussed when Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar called on the president. “The president touched on Bihar’s economic growth during the talks with Nitish Kumar,” Bhattarai informed, adding, “Cooperation between Bihar and Nepal in the sector of hydropower was also discussed and the chief minister brought to light the need to take this issue up with the central government.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nitish Kumar also highlighted the problem of flooding on both sides of the border. He said “joint efforts” are required to solve the problem.
Likewise, the leader of opposition (Rajya Sabha), Arun Jaitley, also called on the president. The president is scheduled to visit Chandigarh on Friday. He will
return to Kathmandu on February 5.
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