Oli, Menon discuss bilateral ties

New Delhi, November 5:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli who arrived here today on a week-long visit met Indian foreign secretary Shiva Shankar Menon and held discussions on bilateral relations.

The two met at Shangri-la Hotel this evening. Oli told journalists after the meeting that his was only a goodwill visit and that there was no specific agenda on his list.

The visit will, however, focus on getting increased Indian cooperation and support for Nepal’s

development and the establishment of loktantra and peace there, said Oli. He added that he also discussed the ongoing peace talks in Nepal and other bilateral issues with Menon.

Indian ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, and joint secretary of the Nepal-Bhutan Desk, Pankaj Saran, were also present during the meeting.

Replying to journalists’ queries, Oli said that the posts of Nepalese ambassadors lying vacant would be filled soon.

Oli, who is on a visit to India with a nine-member team, will meet Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat tomorrow.

Earlier, talking to journalists at the TIA, Oli said he would “apprise New Delhi on the latest developments on peace process.”

“The issue of arms management, on which an agreement is about to be reached (between the government and Maoists), will certainly be discussed with the Indian officials,” Oli said, adding: “(Maoist chairman) Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai have already expressed their commitment (on arms management) to the Indian ambassador, and the issue will be discussed in New Delhi, too.” Asked if there would also be a meeting on the Treaty of Extradition, he said he could not say anything on the matter. He elaborated that his visit was not aimed at signing any treaty or agreement.