Kathmandu, Jan. 13: Nepal is expecting a significant breakthrough towards the settlement of the Bhutanese refugee issue in the upcoming foreign ministerial level meeting to be held in Thimpu.

Foreign Minister Dr. Ramsaran Mahat said today that Bhutanese refugee problem will be hopefully finalised in the Thimpu meet to be held very soon. “We are presently working to give a permanent outlet to the problem. I hope this will be the final and fruitful ministerial level talks between Nepal and Bhutan,” said Mahat in an upbeat and optimistic mood.

Nearly 100,000 Nepali speaking refugees expelled from Bhutan in early 90s are living in over half a dozen camps in eastern Nepal.

Present environment is highly favourable to find a solution of the problem. Time has come to make a headway, Mahat told journalists at a Face to Face organised by Reporters Club Nepal.

The Foreign Minister stated that following the Thimpu meet, both sides will be able to visit the camps, identify the refugees and start the process of sending them home.

Asked to cite the basis of his optimism over the refugee issue, Mahat said that the views expressed by Bhutan was the foundation of his confidence. There is an agreement over the identification of refugees and confusion and misunderstandings between the two sides have been cleared. We have made it clear to Bhutan that Nepal has nothing to do with her internal political affair. Dignified return of the refugees is only the concern of Nepal. The goodwill shown by Bhutan gives us reason to be optimistic, he added.

Regarding the recent hijacking of the Indian Airlines (IA) jet and trading of fake Indian currency by a Pakistani Embassy staff member and their impact, Dr. Mahat said this is not going to affect Nepal-India ties. Asked if IA flights to Nepal would not resume until the report of probe commission into the hijacking incident is released, Mahat said it was not true. “I have been told by the Indian government that the flights being currently postponed will resume soon,” he informed.

Things reported by the Indian media were unfounded. The truth will be known when the report of the investigation commission comes out to the public. We are very sensitive about this issue and the government is committed to rectify the matters if any security lapses are found, said the Foreign Minister denying that there was demand and acceptance of Indian representation in the probe commission.

About the Prime Minister’s visit to India, Mahat said the date had yet to be fixed at the convenience of both sides. Clarifying that the visit was overdue because of the special session of the Parliament, he said agenda of the visit would be known when the date of the visit is fixed.

Dwelling on the visit of the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mahat said Norway is coming to Nepal as the biggest investor in the hydropower sector. We are trying to attract the rich hydropower expertise, experience, capital and resource of that country to Nepal, he added.

He called unfounded the report that Karmapa Lama had entered India via Nepal and declined to comment on the issue.

Club president Rishi Dhamala also spoke at the programme.