Indian, Chinese ministers meet on sidelines of ICNR

KATHMANDU: External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Thursday met on the sidelines of International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction (ICNR) in Kathmandu and discussed how the two neighbours can coordinate with each-other in Nepal’s post-quake reconstruction, diplomatic sources said.

Swaraj and Wang also discussed the prospects of long-term trilateral cooperation between Nepal, India and China and agreed to work out such plans in future, sources added.

Indian Embassy Spokesperson Abhay Kumar said the meeting was held following the two foreign minister’s address to the ICNR at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza.

While addressing the ICNR, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang — who had delivered his speech after Swaraj — said he was impressed by the Indian government’s commitment of one billion dollar support to Nepal. Wang announced China’s at least 3 billion yuan (US$ 483 million) assistance to Nepal its reconstruction efforts. They also discussed possible trilateral cooperation with Nepal in backing the latter’s economic development and would work out such plans in future, according to sources.

Wang had also discussed about Nepal-India-China’s cooperation in economic development of this region during his meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala yesterday.

Both Swaraj and Wang returned to their respective countries after the ICNR today.