Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 21:

Indian minister of state for external affairs, Rao Inderjit Singh, arrived in Kathmandu today and held meetings with the vice-chairmen of the council of ministers, Dr Tulsi Giri and Kriti Nidhi Bista. Singh sought Nepal’s support in India’s bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. “India has asked for Nepal’s support in her bid for a UNSC seat. The issue will have to be discussed in the cabinet, which will take the final decision,” Dr Giri said after meeting Singh. When asked if bilateral cooperation was discusses, he said the southern neighbour has assured Nepal that it will soon resume its support. “As the Indian minister has visited Nepal, the environment is positive,” he added. Bista also said the government was looking into the issue of UN reforms. “India is a big country, and if the UNSC needs reforms, it is a good candidate,” Bista said. He however, added: “We are studying the proposed United Nations reforms, the issue is being discussed. We will make our opinion public later.” Singh conveyed Bista the Indian government’s stance on constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. Earlier, at the airport, Singh said: “I will primarily discuss the UN reforms.” When asked whether any bilateral issues will be discussed here, Singh said: “Bilateral, multilateral, international and national, ever-ything will be discussed.” However, he refused to comment on the current political situation in Nepal and the possibility of India resuming lethal military aid. Singh is scheduled to meet King Gyanendra and Foreign Minister, Ramesh Nath Pandey tomorrow.