Nepal PM leaving for India today

September 9th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar has said his government is really concerned about the Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) racket and would take proper action against anyone who indulges in the practice. Talking to reporters in Birganj in the Terai plains near the Indo-Nepalese border, Nepal said, "We are really concerned about this racket and if anyone uses our land to supply fake currency into India, we will take proper action." "Any unlawful activities detrimental to the interest of our neighbouring country will not be allowed," he added.

August 21st, 2009 KATHMANDU - Nepal's Communication and Information Minister and spokesman Shankar Pokharel on Friday described the five-day visit to India of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as a milestone in Indo-Nepal relations. "The visit is a milestone in Nepal-India relations," Pokharel told reporters.

August 15th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Nepal's Minister for Commerce and Supplies Rajendra Mahato has said that Nepal and India will ink two key treaties to boost bilateral trade and provide more trade facilities during Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal's visit to New Delhi from August 18. Talking to reporters here, Mahato said: "Nepal and India will sign at least two treaties to expand trade and provide more trade facilities including opening new border points for movement of goods between the two countries." Mahato, who will accompany Nepal during the visit said, "The amendments in Nepal-India Trade Treaty - 1996 and a Treaty to Control Unauthorized Trade are the two documents on which the two nations will put their seal during Nepals visit." The other two treaties are aimed at eliminating double taxation and agreement on promotion and protection of investments.

August 14th, 2009 KATMANDU - Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Friday hinted that Nepal and India may reach an agreement on starting some new projects during his visit to India. Saying that his visit is aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and bilateral ties, he urged everyone not to view his visit with suspicion.

July 14th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Within 48 hours of Indian Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal visiting Nepal to inspect the repaired embankment of the Kosi river that had created havoc in both countries last year, India gave Nepal NRs.131.6 million (about $1.6 million) to fight floods. Alok K. Sinha, deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, Tuesday handed over a cheque of NRs.131.6 million to Umakant Jha, secretary at Nepal's irrigation ministry, as India's contribution for the construction of embankments along the Lalbakeya and Bagmati rivers.

June 9th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood said on Tuesday that a joint committee is working towards finalisation of a boundary map between India and Nepal to resolve the border issue that has long been in contention. "The technical-level committee is working towards finalisation of the map," Rakesh Sood said.

June 9th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Nepal and India signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) aimed at fostering cooperation under the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework here on Monday. The MOUs were signed by Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Gyan Chandra Acharya and Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood.

May 27th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated his Nepalese counterpart Madhav Kumar Nepal on his appointment as Prime Minister and invited the latter to visit India.

May 25th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood and United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) chief Karen Ladgren have separately met newly elected Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter's residence, Koteshwor. They congratulated Nepal on his election as the new Prime Minister and extended best wishes for his successful term.

May 23rd, 2009 KATHMANDU - Almost three weeks deadlock over the formation of a new government, Nepal lawmakers will vote today to elect a new Prime Minister. Former chief of the CPN (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal, who has been supported by 22 parties in the parliament, is almost certain to become the next Prime Minister.

May 2nd, 2009 KATHMANDU - Japan's Vice Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi will arrive here on a two-day visit today. During his visit, Kishi will inspect the activities of the Japanese Arms Monitors working under the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) to familiarise himself with the activities of UNMIN.

April 3rd, 2009 KATHMANDU - Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood handed over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to secretary of the Election Commission (EC) in Nepal. "The supply of EVMs to Nepal reflected India's continued commitment to support institutionalisation of multi-party democracy in Nepal," said Sood.

March 24th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Power Trading Corporation (PTC) of India has proposed to supply additional 500 MW electricity to Nepal. Nepalnews quoted Shankar Prasad Koirala, secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, as saying that PTC had stated in a letter to the ministry that it could provide 500 MW in 18 months if Nepal government agreed to its proposal.

February 15th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Three months after he had accompanied Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Nepal, India's Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon is arriving in Kathmandu Tuesday on a two-day visit. The Indian envoy is scheduled to hold talks with Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and opposition leader and former premier Girija Prasad Koirala.

January 8th, 2009 KATHMANDU - Nepal's state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Friday said that it has been assured of a quick end to the oil strike in India called by officials of Indian public sector oil companies. Land-locked Nepal, which imports its total fuel requirements from southern neighbour India, has been keenly watching the nationwide strike called by India's Oil Sector Officers' Association that reached the third day Friday with major cities beginning to go dry.