Back to Headlines

Koirala visits Mahatma Gandhi memorial

       New Delhi: Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala paid his respects at the memorial dedicated to Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on Thursday. Koirala, who held extensive talks with the Indian leadership on Wednesday, has reportedly been offered an aid package to help rebuild the economy of his strife-torn country. Analysts say the aid package is likely to include grants and soft loans worth millions of dollars to help rebuild infrastructure and schools wrecked by years of political instability and a Maoist insurgency. Koirala, 84, is leading efforts to rebuild the shattered Himalayan kingdom since being appointed in April, after weeks of street protests forced King Gyanendra to restore parliament and end direct rule. Foreign ministry officials say India is keen to assist in both long and short-term projects, including funding the construction of roads, bridges and railways links ravaged by the conflict. India is a major donor to Nepal and supplies bulk of essential commodities to its neighbour, whose economy -- based on aid and tourism -- was badly hit during the insurgency, in which more than 13,000 people were killed. Analysts say India is also interested in the ongoing negotiations between the Kathmandu government and the Maoists, which are aimed at disarming the rebels and bringing them into the political mainstream. The Maoists, fighting for a communist state since 1996, and the newgovernment have agreed to hold elections for a special assembly to prepare a new Constitution that would decide the future of the monarchy.

Koirala meets BJP, Left leaders

       New Delhi: Visiting Nepal Prime Minister G P.Koirala met Communist and BJP leaders in the capital on Thursday and discussed issues of mutual interest with them. "The Prime Minister explained to us the emerging situation in Nepal, what roadmap they have prepared to take the nation forward and we are happy about the steps his government is taking to take the nation forward," D. Raja, national secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), said. Koirala also met Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh.

Maoist threat is over: Nepal Minister

      New Delhi: Nepal today stands at a critical and interesting juncture of its existence and the Maoist killings and violence are things of the past. This was asserted by Ram Sharan Mahat, the Finance Minister of Nepal at an interactive meeting organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here today. On his first visit to India after the new Government took charge in Nepal. Mahat said that he was overwhelmed by the welcome given to their Prime Minister Mr.B.P.Koirala in India and thanked the Indian Government and the people of the country for their continued support in their fight against the autocratic rule of the King and the restoration of democracy in Nepal. He said that one of the main priorities of their government after restoration of peace was to restore economic growth and reduce poverty in the country and said that then process of economic reforms started in 1990s would be consolidated and the "environment for foreign direct investment would be made more conducive." Answering questions during the interactive session Mr.Mahat admitted that there had been cases of extortions and snatchings from businessmen during the insurgency period but things were changing because the Maoists wanted to establish their credentials as a legitimate political party.