KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Gopal Man Shrestha has said that the Nepal-India relation has been the matter of international concern.

DPM Shrestha said this at a programme 'Nepal-India relations in changed context' organised here on Wednesday by the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) and Political Science Study Association.

"The two countries have strong and cordial relations due to economic and social affinities and mutual good will. Nepal has attached high importance to the bilateral dynamic relations", Minister Shrestha added.

Lauding India's perpetual support to the development of physical infrastructure and socio-economic advancements, DPM Shrestha said India should play a positive role to reduce growing trade deficit of Nepal in the present context.

In order to further strengthen the multi-faceted relations, the recommendations of the objective study carried out by research institutions should be taken into account, Shrestha said.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri said the bilateral relations between Nepal and India has been ever special and India has accorded due respect to this relation.