The External Affairs Minister of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee paid a visit to Kathmandu on 17 December 2006.
During the visit, the External Affairs Minister called on Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala and handed over to him the invitation from India’s Prime Minister to the 14th SAARC Summit to be held in New Delhi on 3-4 April 2007. Mr. Mukherjee also met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli. Before his departure to India, Mr. Mukherjee will hold discussions with the President of Nepali Congress (Democratic) and former Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba and General Secretary of CPN (UML) Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal.
The External Affairs Minister is the first Minister from India to visit Nepal after the historic changes ushered in by the People’s Movement of April 2006. His visit provided an opportunity to discuss the progress and possibilities in the wide-ranging, close and multidimensional ties between India and Nepal, especially in the context of the landmark visit of Prime Minister Mr. Koirala to India in June 2006. In all his meetings with Nepali dignitaries, the commitment of the Government of India to further strengthen the close, historical and friendly relations with Nepal, which are a matter of the highest priority for India, was reiterated. It was also stressed that at this crucial time in Nepal’s history, India remains steadfast, as ever, to extend all possible assistance to Nepal in accordance with the priorities and wishes of the government and people of Nepal.
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