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Koirala, Monmohan hold talks

      New Delhi: Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh here on Wednesday where the two leaders discussed measures to enhance bilateral relations with emphasis on rebuilding the economy in the Himalayan country. According to official sources, India is likely to announce a major amount to Nepal as budgetary support and may also help Nepal financially in its reconstruction and infrastructural development, devastated by political instability and long-running Maoist insurgency. In addition, India may also consider waiving dues on account of Nepal's defence purchases from India in the past, which the landlocked Himalayan country has been seeking for long. The Nepali economy, one of the world's poorest, grew at an average of 2.7 percent annually over the past three years compared to an annual average of 5.1 percent for the decade ending in 2002, when parliament was dissolved.

     The Nepalese Prime Minister will also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat besides meeting Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Koirala arrived in India on Tuesday evening on an official visit for the first time since he assumed office after restoration of a democratic government in Nepal. 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 arrived in India at the invitation of Singh, was accompanied by a high-level 41-member delegation of five ministers and business representatives. 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. Koirala's visit to New Delhi comes almost two years after his predecessor, Sher Bahadur Deuba, had led a delegation to New Delhi in September 2004.

India reiterates commitment for
development of Nepal

      Briefing reporters after a delegation-level talks between visiting Nepalese Prime Minister and his Indian counterpart, Minister of States for External Affairs Anand Sharma said that Koirala apprised Singh about the economic situation in the Himalayan country and their priority needs. Sharma said while India hailed Nepal's efforts to bring Maoists on board, it also urged the latter to commit towards the multiparty democracy in the country. "India supports the ongoing dialogue between the Government of Nepal and Maoists and the initiatives taken to bring the Maoists within the democratic mainstream. We feel that it is important that Maoists also deliver on their commitment to multiparty democracy and their demobilization. However, as we have said, we are all for strengthening multiparty democracy in Nepal and we'll extend all support to government and democratic forces," Sharma told reporters.

      The Minister further said that India would provide all the necessary aid to the neighbouring nation in the rehabilitation of the victims of the decade-long Maoist conflict and reconstruction of infrastructure. He said that the Government of India remains committed to "give all support in undertaking infrastructure and capacity building projects" which have to be determined as per the priorities of Nepal Government. "This (delegation level talks) has given us adequate information about their needs and requirements. Government of India will be working out a detailed package for Nepal which would be announced before the delegation returns," Sharma added. 84-year-old Koirala, who arrived in India at the invitation of Singh, will return to Kathmandu on Friday. 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 Nepal. The Maoist rebels and the new multi-party government have agreed to hold elections for a special assembly to prepare a new constitution. Maoists have also urged Koirala to seek the release of about 150 of their comrades jailed in India. The rebels, who have been fighting for a communist state since 1996, often escape into India after crossing the porous border. Many have been arrested by police.