Kathmandu, Jan. 31 : Foreign secretaries of Nepal and India held official talks at Hyderabad house in New Delhi today.
Narayan Shumshere Thapa, Foreign Secretary of Nepal, was assisted by Royal Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Bhekh Bahadur Thapa and other senior officials of HMG.
Indian Foreign Secretary Lalit Man Singh was assisted by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Deb Mukharji and senior officials of different ministries of the Government of India.
The two foreign secretaries had an exchange of views on issues relating to the Nepal-India Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 as directed by the two Prime Ministers during the official visit of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to India in July-August 2000.
They discussed various aspects of the treaty in a candid and open manner and agreed to meet at the earliest to continue discussions keeping in mind the concerns and interests of both sides and their close and friendly relations, according to a press release issued by the Royal Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi.
The two foreign secretaries also reviewed the progress made in implementing the decisions and understanding reached during the visit of the Prime Minister.
The Nepalese side requested the Indian side to expedite the clearance of railway operations arrangement and customs transit procedures so as to make the ICD at Birgunj operational at the earliest. The Indian side agreed to look into the matter and expedite it.
The outstanding issue of duty refund was also taken up with the Indian side for an early settlement.
Stress was laid on the need to complete works related to the Nepal-India boundary by the joint technical committee within the time-frame as directed by the two Prime Ministers.
The joint working group on the boundary would meet shortly to complete examination of the facts relating to the alignment of the boundary in the western sector, including the Kalapani area, and other pockets where perceptions of the two sides differ.
The Nepalese side urged the Indian side to expedite implementation of decisions regarding embankment constructions at Rapti, Lal Bakeya, Bagmati, Kamala and Khando rivers as agreed.
Problems being faced by Nepalese in the north-east as well as other parts of India were raised by the Nepalese side.
Issues relating to bilateral trade and investment, economic cooperation, border management and matters of mutual concern were discussed during the meeting.
Both sides agreed that the existing institutional mechanisms for dialogue and interaction between the two countries would be fully utilised to achieve progress on issues under discussion.
They also agreed that periodic consultations at the foreign secretary level would also contribute to strengthen bilateral relations.