Nepal PM to focus on economic, bilateral ties during India visit

Kathmandu, Oct 19 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai on Wednesday made it clear that his visit to India would purely focus on economic and bilateral cooperation rather than on political issues.

Briefing President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav about the main agenda of his India visit, Prime Minister Bhattarai assured him that he will abide by the advice of opposition political parties, including his own UCPN (Maoist) Party not to sign treaties and agreements that can have a far-reaching impact on Nepal-India ties.

According to Nepalnews, during the nearly one-hour long meeting, Bhattarai also informed the President regarding the issues he intends to put forth before the Indian leaders and officials and even asked for latter's advice on the issues to take up with the Indian side.

Meanwhile, President Yadav expressed confidence that Bhattarai 's India visit will help in further enhancing and consolidating the already cordial ties between Nepal and India.

Praising the positive role played by Bhattarai in the ongoing Constitution drafting and peace processes, President Yadav asked him to send a positive message in this regard before departing for his first ever India visit as Nepal's prime minister.

Earlier, Bhattarai held meetings with various political parties in which he was advised against signing any agreement that can have long-term impact on Nepal-India ties.

They especially asked him not to sign treaties related to extradition and air marshal agreement that are controversial political issues, Nepalnews reports.

This would be Bhattarai's first bilateral visit abroad and his first official visit to India, after taking charge as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

The Prime Ministers of India and Nepal had earlier met on the margins of the 66th UNGA in New York on September 24.

Dr. Bhattarai would hold talks with the Prime Minister as well as, call on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and meet other Indian dignitaries during his visit.

He would also interact with representatives of Indian business community, civil society and intellectuals during his visit, which ends on October 23. (ANI)