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Nepal Premier Koirala arrives

      New Delhi: Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala arrived here today on his first official visit after assuming the prime ministership. He was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the evening. Manmohan Singh's warm gesture to receive Koirala at the airport reportedly already charmed the Nepalese Premier, who is on a four- day visit to India for seeking "economic help". Nepalese officials accompanying the delegation were quoted as saying the Koirala was very happy that the Prime Minister himself received him at the airport. Koirala, 84, who is visiting New Delhi at the invitation of Singh, is accompanied by a high-profile delegation of five ministers and business representatives.

      His visit is being considered significant, as it comes at a crucial time when the proposed elections to Nepal's Constituent Assembly is scheduled to be held shortly. The elections would decide on the role of monarchy in the future political set up of Nepal. This apart, both leaders are expected to discuss on the progress being made in the first-ever talks between the Nepal Government and the Maoist rebels. Koirala was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal after a nationwide movement against the King Gyanendra's monarchy led to the restoration of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.