Krishna arrives for Nepal visit

India’s External Affairs Minister SM Krishna arrived at the Nepal capital on Friday to start his three-day visit to the Himalayan nation. Utpal Parashar reports.

India’s External Affairs Minister SM Krishna arrived at the Nepal capital on Friday to start his three-day visit to the Himalayan nation.

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The visit comes at a time when there is a perceived chill in relations between both countries in the wake of the ongoing agitation by opposition Maoists blaming the neighbour for most ills besieging the country.

“I had a glimpse of the Himalayas (during the flight) and I was inspired. This visit is to further strengthen the bilateral relations and perhaps extend it to various other areas that have not been covered so far,” he told media persons on his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

“India’s foreign policy gives topmost priority to our relations with Nepal,” he added.

Krishna is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

Soon after his arrival Krishna had a meeting with his Nepalese counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala followed by another with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the latter’s residence where both leaders discussed the whole gamut of bilateral relations.

Later, four MoUs including one on strengthening roads in the Terai region that will improve connectivity between India and Nepal were signed.

The others included electrification of five villages and establishment of the Bharat Nepal Maitri Science Learning Centre at Lalitpur.