India ready to support Nepal’s peace process: Mukherjee

Indian Minister for External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, has expressed the Indian government’s commitment to help Nepal in its bid to restore sustainable peace in the country.

“India as always remains committed to supporting all efforts that are aimed at achieving peace, democracy and development in Nepal as Nepal stands at the threshold of a new and brighter future,” Mukherjee added.

Speaking at a press conference in Kathmandu on Sunday, minister Mukherjee, who arrived in Nepal today to hand over the Indian Prime Minister’s invitation to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for the 14th SAARC summit, scheduled for 3-4 April 2007, informed that the Indian government has accepted Nepal government’s request for more assistance in terms of logistical equipment.

Mukherjee also said that during his meeting with Prime Minister Koirala, they discussed the progress in implementing the decisions taken during Prime Minister Koirala’s India visit in June and economic package announced during the visit.

He also informed that India will provide 200 vehicles and communication equipment to Nepal. India had already given 70 containers for storing Maoist arms.

Mukherjee also revealed that India has invited Inspector General of Armed Police Force (APF) to discuss the assistance essential for the APF with his Indian counterpart.

Commenting on why he did not meet the Maoist leadership during his visit, the visiting Indian Minister said he is meeting only the political parties who are in the government. He however added that India has welcomed the Maoist’s decision to join the political mainstream.

He also said that the Maoist’s decision to join the politics of competition would encourage extremist forces and Maoists of India to join mainstream of politics.

On the recently finalized interim constitution, Mukherjee said India respects the decision of the Nepali people and political parties of Nepal. “It is for people and political parties of Nepal to decide the political system and constitution,” he said and added, “The transitory provision will be over once the elections of the constituent assembly are held.”

In a query on why he did not meet King Gyanendra during his visit to Nepal, minister Mukherjee, who described the signing of interim constitution that deprives King from all of his privileges as an output of April movement of the country, said that he held meeting with government officials only as he is here to meet the people’s representatives.

Mukherjee further said, “We go by the desire of people reflected in the government.”

Commenting on recent political development of the country, he said, “This has amply proved that the people of Nepal, who have taken their destiny in their own hands, can successfully address the challenging tasks ahead.”

Commenting on the reports that ISI activities and trade of fake currencies is ongoing on Indo-Nepal border, Mukherjee said that India is serious about both the issues and doing its best to control such activities.

Minister Mukherjee however maintained silence about the role of India in resolving the decade long Bhutanese refugee impasse and said, “We encourage both the governments to engage in bilateral talks to solve the issue.”

He also informed that bilateral talks are ongoing for border treaty between Nepal and India.

Mukherjee said that he discussed the issues of bilateral interest during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli.