Nepal seeks India's support to move peace process forward

KATHMANDU: Nepal has underlined the key role of India in its landmark peace process as a top Indian official is set to meet senior leaders in the country.

"We need India's cooperation and support to move the peace process forward," Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala said.

Ahead of of Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon's visit today, the Foreign Minister stressed that the new the CPN-UML led coalition government wanted to strengthen bilateral relations.

"Nepal government wants to strengthen bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, especially India," Koirala told PTI in an interview.

She also underlined the "high priority" to the peace process by the new coalition.

"The CPN-UML led coalition government has accorded high priority to taking the peace process to its logical end and to draft the new constitution on time," the 55-year-old daughter of former premier and Nepali Congress patriarch Girija Prasad Koirala said.

Menon, who is expected to arrive in Kathamandu today on a two-day visit, will impress upon the Nepalese leadership the need to take the peace process forward.

Menon is also expected to discuss the maiden India tour by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. The Foreign Secretary will meet President Ram Baran Yadav, Vice President Parmananda Jha, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister as also Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal.