NEW DELHI: Nepal's Ambassador to India Rukma Shumsher Rana presented his credentials to Indian President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhawan here today. Appointed by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Ambassador Rana had assumed his office two weeks ago. Rana said his priority would be to further promote age-old bilateral relations that existed between the two countries. "We share rivers. We share religions, culture and languages. We enjoy special type of relations. My efforts will be to further promote these ties," Rana said. The ambassador said he would also strive to transform friendly bilateral relations into mutual economic benefit by harnessing water resources, trade and other potentials that existed between these two countries. He added that he might not be able to accomplish all that he wanted to but would make a genuine effort to bring the bilateral relations to a new height. Rana, who is also the co-chair of BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, said the joint mechanism could do a lot to better the lives of Nepalis by implementing big and small projects. He said cross-border crime, including human trafficking, was a serious threat for both the nations, and therefore, he would give due priority to control this menace. "There are some larger issues between our two countries and we might need more time to resolve them. Most importantly, I will make whole-hearted efforts to bring our relations to a new height," Rana said, adding that it was high time for Nepal to enter into an understanding with India in order to start water resource projects in Nepal, particularly on Mahakali river since a treaty and other ground works have already been finalised in relation with it. President Patil told Rana that she expected bilateral relations to grow further during his tenure. "She spoke warmly. She was very receptive and seemed to have read my bio-data," Rana said.