Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran
Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran (File Photo)
The government-run media have downplayed the news of the three-day visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran to Nepal that concluded on Tuesday.
While leading private sector newspapers including Kantipur, The Kathmandu Post, Annapurna Post, The Himalayan Times, Nepal Samacharpatra and Rajdhani dailies covered the news of arrival of Indian Foreign Secretary in their front pages, the state-run Gorkhapatra and The Rising Nepal dailies on Monday completely blacked out the news.
Interestingly, the state-run Radio Nepal did not mention anything about separate meetings between Saran and senior government officials during its 7:00 p. m. news bulletin on Monday. The same news bulletin, however, highlighted the story of expulsion of nearly a dozen Indian MPs on charge of corruption.
On Monday, the Indian Foreign Secretary visited Singha Durbar and called on Vice Chairmen of the council of ministers Dr Tulsi Giri, Kirtinidhi Bista and newly appointed Home Minister Kamal Thapa separately.
Talking to reporters after his meeting with Saran, vice chairman Bista said it was a routine affair. “A big earthquake has gone in Kathmandu upon the arrival of the Indian Foreign Secretary. But there is nothing like that.”
In its prime-time 8:00 p. m. news bulletin, the state-run Nepal Television aired the news of His Majesty King Gyanendra granting audience to chairman of people’s government of the Tibetan autonomous region of China. Saran’s meeting with senior government officials was also featured in the bulletin later.
Tuesday’s Gorkhapatra daily carried the story of Saran’s meeting with senior government officials in a single column on the front page on Tuesday.
Leading private sector dailies, Kantipur and The Kathmandu Post dailies, however, ran editorials on Monday on the visit of Saran. In the editorial titled “Meaningful Visit,” The Kathmandu Post daily wrote: “Saran’s visit will thaw the relationship between the king and the Manmohan Singh government that has been in a bad shape since the king’s February 1 move. This visit will further India, USA and UK’s common strategy of engaging the royal government.”
In its editorial, Kantipur daily wrote: “After the royal move, India has been taking a clear stand in favour of (restoration of) democracy in Nepal, which is an encouraging aspect for those who believe in peace and democracy.”
Reporters’ Club of Nepal organized an interaction on the importance of visit of Saran to Nepal on Monday. Former foreign minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat and senior UML leader Jhal Nath Khanal, among others, took part in the took part in the interaction and expressed hope that India would continue to extend its ‘moral support’ to the on-going pro-democracy movement in Nepal.
His Majesty granted audience to Saran for over one and half hours at the Narayanhiti palace on Tuesday. Saran also called on senior opposition leaders and had luncheon meeting with Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey on Tuesday.
The Indian Foreign Secretary returned home the same day after addressing a brief press conference within the Indian embassy premises at Lainchour.