KATHMANDU, AUGUST 12

Visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, today paid courtesy calls on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakash Man Singh and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba.

During his second and last day of the two-day official visit to Nepal, the Indian foreign secretary visited the DPM Singh at the latter's office in Singha Durbar to discuss matters concerning urban development, waste management, restoration of cleanliness of Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers, and other sanitation-related issues. They exchanged views on the possibility of collaboration between the two countries in addressing these issues.

Taking reference to the ongoing Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission and the efforts to clean up the Ganga River in India, the Deputy Prime Ministers said India's experiences in such efforts and technology used towards that end would be useful for Nepal. He called on India to collaborate with Nepal for the same.

Apprising the Indian secretary of the inconveniences facing the Nepali citizens in trans-border movement between Nepal and India, the Minister said Nepal wanted India's facilitation to construct a suspension bridge over the Mahakali River, according to the Secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister Singh.

He thanked the Government of India for its support to Nepal's infrastructure development, during the earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting also focused on exploring potential support from India to Nepal's urban development sector, according to Urban Development Ministry's secretary Maniram Gelal.

During the meeting, Nepal proposed India facilitate for construction of bridges in rivers along the Nepal-India border to implement Nepal's mission to replace tuine (rope bridges), he said. The Indian side is positive, he added.

The foreign secretary said India is always with Nepal in its endeavors aiming to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity.

Photo: RSS

Indian Foreign Secretary calls on Foreign Affairs Minister Rana

The visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba at the Foreign Ministry here in Singha Durbar today.

During the meeting, they discussed various aspects of the bilateral relations as well as the economic and development cooperation and projects, among other topics, the Ministry stated. On the occasion, Minister Dr Rana raised the topic of providing to Nepal additional air routes for expanding the Nepal-India air connectivity.

She also brought the topic of India's initiative for establishing a laboratory for testing the quality of vegetables and fruits imported through the border areas of Nepal and India. Regarding moving ahead the remaining works of the Pancheshwar Project that Minister Rana put forth during the talks, they discussed that most of the problems related to it were resolved and the remaining problems would be addressed through the technical group.

Similarly, through the visiting Foreign Secretary of India, the Foreign Affairs Minister put before the Government of India topics as releasing water in the irrigation canal from the Tanakpur dam and providing the required assistance for controlling flood and reducing risk in the Banganga, Khando and Rapti rivers.

She also raised the context of inauguration of an RCC bridge constructed over the Mahakali river in Darchula. Minister Rana also discussed the topic of giving continuity to the trade and transit talks.

She expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the rescue and support for the Jajarkot earthquake-affected people.

Misri arrived here on Sunday at the cordial invitation of Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal.