Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, KP Sharma Oli, who is currently in India visit has said that Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee have extended their cooperation in Nepal’s peace process and development.

Talking to journalists after meeting the two Indian leaders on Monday the Deputy Premier said, “I got a commitment from them that India will extend its goodwill to the seven-party alliance and the Maoists.”

According to newspaper reports, Oli briefed Indian authorities about the status of the democratic transformation in the country and the ongoing peace talks with the Maoist rebels with a view to integrating them into the political mainstream.

Oli and Manmohan Singh also reviewed the state of India-Nepal relations and discussed an entire slew of bilateral issues, including the enhancement of trade and investment and cooperation in the power sector.

Nepal and India have also agreed to convene the Mahakali Pancheshwor Project’s technical committee meeting.

India, at the request of Nepal, has agreed to exempt excise duties on 128 items which are listed as feasible for export to India.

Meanwhile, India has conveyed to Nepal that it was not involved with a plan to invite Maoist leader Prachanda in India for a conference organised by the Hindustan Times newspaper.

“We have conveyed to the government of Nepal that the government of India has no role in the organising of this summit and that this is a private event,” newspaper reports quoted external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna as saying.