Indian Foreign Secretary calls on Foreign Minister Dr Rana

Kathmandu, Aug 17: Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba at the Ministry on Sunday.

The meeting focused on various dimensions of Nepal-India relations, mutual interests and shared concerns.     

Issues like the Nepal-India Transit Treaty, trade facilitation, concerns of the Nepali private sector over the export of plywood, steel and other products to India, and the BIS Standards were also discussed during the meeting.     

On the occasion, Dr Rana expressed Nepal's continued commitment to maintaining cordial relations with India, and described India as Nepal's important development partner, according to the Foreign Ministry. She also thanked the Indian government and people for their support in Nepal's economic and technical sectors.     

Foreign Minister Dr Rana expressed appreciation for the efforts in increasing connectivity between the two countries, expanding bilateral meetings, high-level visits and diplomatic engagements at various levels. Citing significant contribution of connectivity to the relationship between the two countries, promoting tourism and economic activities on both sides, she called for further expanding connectivity through air routes, railways and land routes.     

Dr Rana sought India's cooperation in creating an environment for additional flights and air routes between Indian cities and the Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Pokhara International Airport in Nepal.     

She also advocated for a push for direct flights from Nepalgunj to Delhi in the coming days.     

Dr Rana stressed the need for expediting the construction of the Fapla Cricket Stadium in Dhangadhi, which is being built with the assistance of the Indian government. Stating that both sides could benefit from the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, she called for accelerating its implementation and for cooperation in controlling floods and inundations.(RSS)