India?s foreign secy to visit Nepal | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

India?s foreign secy to visit Nepal

None | By, Kathmandu
Nov 26, 2006 03:08 AM IST

After a two-day visit to insurgency-ravaged Sri Lanka, India?s Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon will now visit Nepal. Anirban Roy reports.

After a two-day visit to insurgency-ravaged Sri Lanka, India’s Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon will now visit Nepal, where the Maoist insurgents recently signed a peace agreement and ended their 11-year-old armed struggle.

HT Image
HT Image

Sources in the Indian embassy in Kathmandu told the Hindustan Times on Saturday evening that Menon would be on a three-day visit to Nepal and would reach Kathmandu on November 29 evening.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Though the embassy is yet to make an official announcement on the Foreign Secretary’s visit, the sources described Menon’s first official trip to Nepal as “important” in view of the country’s changing political equations.

The Maoists are in the process of locking up their arms in designated camps. If the peace agreement moves as per schedule, the Maoists are likely to join the interim government of Nepal, which is likely to be headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, on December 1.

During his visit to Kathmandu, Menon will meet Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Sharma Oli and senior members of the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and review the political situation in Nepal.

Menon will also meet United Nations officials and review the progress of management of Maoists guerillas and their arms, the sources said.

India has welcomed the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the decade-old insurgency in Nepal.

There are reports that Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, would be in New Delhi on Monday to brief the Foreign Secretary and other senior officials on the political situation here.

Sources said Menon has no plans to meet Maoist leaders or even King Gyanendra during his visit.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Anirban Roy is the Deputy Resident Editor of HT’s Bhopal and Indore editions. A journalist for last 22 years, he has reported from India’s north-east and closely covered the Maoists’ Peoples’ War in Nepal.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On