Kathmandu, June 23 : His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has said that geographical proximity and cultural commonalities have shaped the relations between Nepal and India since time immemorial.

His Majesty the King said this while receiving the letters of credence from Mr Deb Mukharjee, Ambassador designate of the Republic of India amidst a special function at the Narayanhity Royal Palace this evening .

The norms we adhere to in our international relations are common and so is our faith in fundamental principles guiding these norms, His Majesty observed.

Both the countries are committed to make the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation a viable vehicle for the peace and prosperity of the peoples of this region, His Majesty said, adding the extensive interactions, both at the officials and at the people-to-people levels, make mutual respect and understanding between Nepal and India indispensable.

Noting that an important feature of the historic bonds between Nepal and India is its adaptability of the needs and changes of time, His Majesty said at the dawn of a new millennium, it would be topical to look ahead with a vision in further strengthening and diversifying our relations which are based on good neighbourliness.

“For this we need to reinforce mutual respect for and understanding of each other’s aspirations,” His Majesty added.

Creations of a lasting atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence is important for Nepal and India to realise the shared vision of an enhanced cooperation between them, His Majesty said, adding nature has endowed us with resources which are best amenable to joint exploitaiton for the benefit of both countries.

Nepal stands ready to cooperate with India to further enhance the level of understanding in order to facilitate mature friendship and mutually beneficial cooperartion between our two countries, His Majesty said.

Stating that Nepal appreciates the valuable cooperation being received from India in its development effort, His Majesty said achievements of India in areas like science and technology, industries and agriculture provide both inspiration and opportunity to extend and deepen our bilateral cooperation.

While presentig his letters of credence to His Majesty, Indian Ambassador Mukharjee said the government of India attaches the highest priority to its relations with Nepal and the greatest importance to sustaining mutual trust and confidence.

Mr Mukharjee expressed the belief that the two governments are committed to respect each other’s sensitivities and concerns. There are no major irritants in our bilateral relations, but we are always ready to address, in a constructive manner, such issues that may arise from time to time between two friendly neighbours, he added.

Stating that mutually beneficial economic cooperation between our two countries has grown substantially over the past few years and the landmark agreement in the areas of trade and transit have led to a very substantial increase in Nepalese exports to India and have also encouraged greater investment by Indian entrepreneurs in business ventures in Nepal, he observed that the opportunities for economic cooperation and for enhanced trade and investment link have also increased substantially in the wake of the policies of liberalisation and enhanced integration with the global economy being pursued by both the countries.

The Indian Ambassador also reiterated his government’s commitment to its continued engagement in Nepal’s development efforts, guided by Nepal’s priorities, preferences and concerns.

During the last five decades wherever possible and where desired by Nepal, the government of India has extended its cooperation in Nepal’s socio-economic development in a spirit of partnership, he said, adding that the B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Science in Dharan and the recently concluded 22 bridges project are fine examples of this partnership.

At the meeting of the high level task force in Kathmandu earlier this month we have identified serveral new areas of cooperation. It will be my endeavour to give concrete shape to these proposals, he further said.

Cooperation in the areas of water resources holds great promise for our countries in a manner which will directly contribute to our development. In 1996, the historic Mahakali Treaty was concluded.

Mr. Mukharjee also spoke of the need to jointly strive to ensure expeditious implementation of the Mahakali Treaty and also focus on other important projects like the Koshi project.

Effective cooperation for flood prevention and management is another important area for joint endeavour, he said, expressing confidence that Nepal and India will move purposefully to realise the potential for cooperation in this sector.

Meanwhile, His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev has expressed the hope that with the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, Nepal and Ireland will enhance mutually beneficial economic and commercial interaction in the days ahead.

His Majesty the King made this remark while receiving the letters of credence from Mr Philip McDonagh, Ambassador of Ireland amidst a special function at the Narayanhity Royal Palace this evening.

Stating that Nepal and Ireland are both active members of the United Nations, His Majesty said both the countries share the view that the United Nations should be further invigorated to promote world peace and harmony.

“We are happy to note that both our countries co-operate with each other in international forums and are also regular troop countributors to the UN peacekeeping operations around the world,” His Majesty added.

Noting that Nepal is pursuing open and liberal economic policies within a democratic polity to accelerate economic growth with emphasis on socially responsible development, His Majesty said specific poverty alleviation programmes and social mobilisation activities have also been initiated in the backward areas to uplift the standard of living of the disavantaged section of society.

“For the process of development to be sustainable and equitable, it is our belief that it should encompass all segments of society,” His Majesty said.

Nepal is impressed by the economic transformation Ireland has undergone in the past decade, His Majesty said, adding “While wishing your continued prosperity, we are confident that peace and progress will prevail in the region.”

Presenting his letters of credence to His Majesty the King, Irish Ambassador Mr McDonagh said both Ireland and Nepal became members of the United Nations in 1955, and both of them have shaped their political identity in fully committing themselves to the charter of the United Nations and the vision it presents of a world at peace in which all peoples enjoy their rightful place.

The soldiers of Nepal and Ireland have given concrete expression to our commitment to the UN by serving with distinction, side-by-side, in UN peacekeeping operation, he noted.

“We see no alternative to nation states pooling their interests, making themselves accountable to one another and developing human contacts at all levels,” he said.

He also expressed the hope that SAARC will fulfill the hopes of its members and serve as a factor of solidarity and a motor of economic and social progress in South Asia.

The Irish Ambassador expressed the view that formal exchange of diplomatic representation will lead to a steady growth in relations between Ireland and Nepal across a broad range of activities.