Nepal promises to check anti-Indian activities: Nirupama Rao

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao meets Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in Kathmandu.

While Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was asserting in New Delhi on Tuesday that infiltration from countries, including Nepal, was increasing, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said here that she raised India’s security concerns with the Nepal government.

“I reiterated India’s security concerns and the use of Nepalese territory for anti-India activities,” she said. “The Nepalese side unequivocally reiterated its commitment that such activities will not be allowed.”

The Home Secretaries of both countries will hold talks here on November 6 and 7 to address all “bilateral security” issues.

Ms. Rao, who also met Home Minister Bhim Rawal, said she was assured by the Nepal government that cases of counterfeit currency would be investigated.

In her first visit to Nepal, Ms. Rao met President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gachhadar, Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, Mr. Bhim Bahadur Rawal and Defence Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari.

‘Priests’ safety ensured’

Ten days after the attack on the Indian priests of Pashupatinath Temple by Maoists, India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao visited the sacred temple on Tuesday morning and described Pashupati as a “place for worship.”

“I prayed that His blessings and His benedictions will be showered on the people of Nepal, with whom we share very close ties of friendship, solidarity, and partnership,” she said.

At a press meet later, she said politicisation of the issue “would not be conducive to the atmosphere of the good relations” between the two countries. Ms. Rao, who also met with the Maoist leaders, said she discussed the issue with Nepal’s political leaders too.

“The government of Nepal has reassured me that they have taken all necessary measures to ensure the security and well-being of the Indian priests and continuation of regular prayers at the temple.” The priests, Raghavendra and Girish, have been provided police security even after the struggle committee members who assaulted them and staged demonstrations have stopped their protest.