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The Rt. Hon’ble Girija
Prasad Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal, paid an
official visit to India from 6-9 June 2006 at the
invitation of His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh,
Prime Minister of India. The Prime Minister of Nepal
was accompanied by Hon’ble Mr. Gopal Man Shrestha,
Minister for Physical Planning & Works, Hon’ble Mr.
Mahantha Thakur, Minister for Agriculture and
Cooperatives, Hon’ble Dr. Ram Saran Mahat, Minister
for Finance, Hon’ble Mr. Rajendra Prasad Pande,
Minister for Local Development, Hon’ble Ms. Urmila
Aryal, Minister of State for Women, Children and
Social Welfare and Adviser to the Prime Minister on
Foreign Affairs, Dr. Suresh Chandra Chalise. The
delegation also included senior officials of the
Government of Nepal, a business delegation and a
delegation of media representatives.
2. During his visit, the Prime Minister of Nepal
visited Rajghat and paid homage to the memory of
Mahatma Gandhi. The Prime Minister called on His
Excellency the President of India, Dr. A. P. J.
Abdul Kalam and on His Excellency the Vice President
of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who hosted a
dinner in his honour. The Prime Minister of Nepal
had a meeting with the Prime Minister of India,
which was followed by delegation-level talks, led by
the two Prime Ministers, on issues of mutual
interest and concern. The Prime Minister of India
hosted a dinner in honour of the Prime Minister of
Nepal. Minister of Defence Shri Pranab Mukherjee,
Minister of Home Shri Shivraj Patil, and the leader
of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri L. K. Advani
called on the Prime Minister of Nepal. The Prime
Minister of Nepal had a meeting with the Chairperson
of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the
President of Indian National Congress, Smt. Sonia
Gandhi as well as former Prime Minister Shri Chandra
Shekhar.
3. The talks were held
in an atmosphere of utmost cordiality and warmth.
The two Prime Ministers shared their views and
assessments of the situation in both the countries.
They agreed that the restoration of democracy in
Nepal provided a historic opportunity for a
qualitative enhancement of bilateral relations
between the two countries, which rest on age-old
social, economic and cultural ties; shared faith in
democracy, freedom and the rule of law; and pursuit
of peace, stability and prosperity. They reaffirmed
their commitment to impart a new dimension and
dynamism in their relations based on the principles
of peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality,
territorial integrity, mutual respect and
understanding.
4. The Prime Minister of India extended a warm
welcome to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as
the leader of democratic forces and conveyed his
best wishes for his good health and continued
leadership, as he leads Nepal at an important
juncture in its history. He described the visit as
being of great historical significance. He applauded
the extraordinary courage and achievements of the
people of Nepal in their successful struggle for
restoration of multi-party democracy and commitment
towards institutionalizing it. The Prime Minister of
India commended the recent initiatives taken by the
Government of Nepal to bring about peace, stability
and return to the path of economic recovery.
5. The Prime Minister
of India reiterated that as a close friend and a
neighbour, India wishes to see a stable, peaceful,
democratic and prosperous Nepal. He offered India’s
full support to the Government of Seven Party
Alliance under the leadership of Rt. Hon’ble G. P.
Koirala, Prime Minister of Nepal, and to the people
of Nepal in their quest to achieve these goals, and
expressed confidence in their ability to overcome
the challenges that lie ahead.
6. The Prime Minister of Nepal conveyed the
appreciation of the people of Nepal to the people
and the Government of India for the support extended
to them in their peaceful struggle for restoration
of democracy.
7. The Prime Minister of India appreciated the
initiatives taken by the Prime Minister of Nepal to
consolidate the achievements of the People’s
Movement by finding a peaceful solution to the armed
conflict, restoring political stability and moving
towards economic reconstruction for the welfare of
the people of Nepal. The two Prime Ministers agreed
that the success of democracy lay in creating an
atmosphere free from violence and coercion, and
respect for the rule of law.
8. The Prime Ministers
acknowledged the vital importance of accelerating
economic rehabilitation and development in Nepal.
The Prime Minister of India conveyed India’s
readiness to render all possible assistance to Nepal
in that direction, in accordance with the priorities
and wishes of the Government of Nepal. The Prime
Minister of Nepal expressed appreciation to the
Government of India for their generous cooperation
in the socio-economic development of Nepal.
9. In this context, the Prime Ministers agreed to
enhance the India-Nepal development partnership for
expanding rural and economic infrastructures,
developing education and healthcare facilities, and
building human resources in Nepal. The Prime
Ministers agreed to revive bilateral initiatives and
mechanisms existing between the two countries in the
areas of socio-economic cooperation.
10. The Government of India expressed its readiness
to:
(a) Expedite progress
on long-term mega infrastructure projects in the
areas of roads, railway linkages, border
infrastructure, water resources and construction of
an oil pipeline, Special Economic Zone, airports
upgradation, and other areas to be mutually agreed
upon by the both governments.
(b) Extend immediately a one-time grant of I.Rs. 100
crore to the budget of Government of Nepal.
(c) Offer a soft credit line of US $ 100 million for
the execution of infrastructure development projects
as prioritised by the Government of Nepal.
(d) Enhance its ‘Aid to Nepal’ budget for the
current financial year from I.Rs. 65 crore to I.Rs.
150 crore annually.
(e) Waive the dues
outstanding as on date owed by the Government of
Nepal to the Government of India on account of
defence purchases.
(f) Arrange immediately supply of 25,000 metric tons
of fertilizers to Nepal at subsidized prices.
(g) Grant exemption to all exports of goods
manufactured in Nepal into India from the 4%
Additional Duty of Customs.
(h) Accelerate the release of all funds to Nepal
under the Duty Refund Procedure Scheme.
(i) Double the number of scholarships provided by
the Government of India for Nepalese students,
including for girls.
(j) The Indian Oil Corporation will work out with
Nepal Oil Corporation modalities for rescheduling
the dues owed to it on account of oil supplies.
11. The Prime Ministers agreed that there would be
early follow up to implement the above decisions so
as to ensure that the benefits reach the people of
Nepal, and economic cooperation between India and
Nepal is further strengthened for mutual benefit.
12.
The Prime Minister of Nepal extended an invitation
to the Prime Minister of India to pay an official
visit to Nepal at an early date. The Prime Minister
of India accepted the invitation with pleasure. The
visit will take place at a mutually convenient date.
New Delhi
June 9, 2006 |
