Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 7:

The outgoing Indian ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran has reiterated that India is ‘always open’ for Nepal’s benefit in terms of business and trade relations. Nepal being a close neighbour of India, shares a special relation which Nepali entrepreneurs should be able to cash on, said Saran at a programme organised by the FNCCI, NCC, NICCI and CNI held here to bid him farewell. “During my tenure in Nepal, some problems have been resolved and some still linger, for which we need to keep on finding solutions agreeable to both of us,” Saran said adding, “I have a deep feeling for Nepal and Nepalis.” Speaking on the occasion, Binod Bahadur Shrestha, president of FNCCI said that bidding bon voyage to a person of tremendous potential and wisdom, who is always ready to respond to any problem is a sad occasion in itself.

The ambassador’s initiative in bringing improvements in information and communications technology through optical-fibre networking in Nepal is praiseworthy, he noted. The increase in the two-way trade volume, tourism cooperation and trade relations are remarkable developments during the Indian envoy Sharan’s term, Shrestha added. “I am happy in a sense that a friend of Nepal has got a wonderful opportunity to play even a greater role as a foreign secretary of India,” he said. Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, president of NCC said that envoy Saran’s appointment, as foreign secretary of India, will be very fruitful for the South Asia region, and for Nepal. “His tenure in Nepal has been quite productive. Various agreements were signed during his tenure,” he said. The appointment of Shyam Sharan as an ambassador took place shortly after the Indo- Nepal trade treaty was renewed in 2002. At the time, many questions were raised regarding bilateral trade relations. However, Saran effectively addressed the irritants and hiccups assailing the treaty, said Tek Chandra Pokharel, acting president, CNI.