Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
(File photo)
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is visiting India on an official visit from June 6-9 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
This is the first foreign visit of Koirala since being appointed Prime Minister (PM) a month ago after the reinstatement of the dissolved House of Representatives.
This was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press statement.
Meanwhile, Friday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers finalized the dates of Koirala’s visit. Koirala will met ministers, leaders of Indian political parties and government officials during his visit.
According to reports, the meeting also decided that PM Koirala will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and Finance Minister Ram Saran Mahat.
Though the authorities say this is only a “goodwill visit” and there are no specific agendas for the visit, the visit is taking place at a time when India is mulling over a major aid package to Nepal.
India, that stalled its military assistance to Nepal following the February 1 royal takeover, said that it will provide a package of economic assistance to Nepal following the reinstatement of parliament as per the roadmap of the seven political parties.
According to cabinet sources, Koirala will discuss issues of bilateral interest and problems faced by Nepal during the visit.
Koirala is visiting India ahead of the second round of talks with the Maoists, which analysts said would be a crucial one.
Maoists have been demanding early dissolution of the parliament and the government and demanding for the formation of an interim government with their participation, but the seven political parties are opposing the Maoists’ demand of early dissolution of the parliament.
Meanwhile, Friday’s meeting of the cabinet also scrapped the one-door advertisement policy introduced by the royal government.
There had been widespread protests against the highly controversial policy since its introduction saying the policy was aimed at providing advertisements to the newspapers loyal to the royal government.