Kathmandu, July 3

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj met in New Delhi today and discussed bilateral issues.

According to Hari Odari, Counsellor (Political) Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi, the two leaders noted with pleasure that Nepal-India bilateral relations had been making steady progress and the friendly ties were reinforced by exchange of visits at various levels. Both the leaders reviewed and discussed a wide range of bilateral matters, including development cooperation, trade and transit, cross border infrastructure and hydropower projects.

Swaraj congratulated the Government of Nepal for the successful conduct of two phases of local elections and DPM Mahara thanked the Government of India for the support provided for Nepal’s socio-economic development, according to Odari. EAM Swaraj hosted a dinner in honour of DPM Mahara this evening.

Meanwhile Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a press release stating that both leaders held discussion on a wide range of bilateral matters of mutual interest, including ongoing connectivity and development projects. “Both the ministers reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors and to deepen the traditionally close and friendly relationship between the two countries,” the MEA said in its release.

Both the ministers expressed satisfaction at the bilateral engagement at various levels, including political exchanges, and reviewed upcoming high-level exchanges, the MEA stated. “Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal spoke about the recently concluded second phase of local level elections in Nepal and the government’s efforts to take all stakeholders on board in the constitution implementation process,” the MEA said in its release.

DPM Mahara is visiting India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister of India Swaraj. He is scheduled to return to Kathmandu tomorrow.