Nepal assures India over security concerns

Nepal today assured India that it will not allow its territory to be used for anti-India activities, as New Delhi raised security concerns, including the use of its land to inject counterfeit currency into the country.

Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, who is on a visit to Kathmandu, said India and Nepal are in constant touch with each other over issues linked to security concerns.

"We are ready to assist Nepal in addressing our shared security concern based on the request made by Nepal," Rao told reporters here, wrapping up her two-day maiden visit to Kathmandu today as the foreign secretary.

The top Indian diplomat said she had raised India's security concerns with officials and the use of Nepalese territory for anti-India activities and the Nepalese side unequivocally reiterated their commitment that such activities will not be allowed.

She said that the issue of fake Indian currency being pushed into India also figured during her talks with home minister Bhim Rawal. The Nepalese side assured her that they will take necessary measures in the matter.

Nepal has assured that they will investigate all such case as seriously as the government of India does, she stressed.

Rao, who met prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today, expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will grow from "strength to strength".

"We (India) are committed to consolidating multi-party democracy in Nepal, moving ahead with the peace process and helping in (executing) developmental projects," Rao said after her 45-minute meeting with the prime minister at his official residence here.

The foreign secretary said the two neighbours have signed various agreements during Nepal's visit to New Delhi last month and that both are working together closely to see how the joint venture projects are implemented fast.

Rao said the Nepal government has assured that it will take all necessary measures to ensure security for Indian priests at the famous Pashupatinath Temple, who were assaulted by the Maoists' protesting against their appointment at the Hindu shrine.

Religious and cultural ties have drawn people of India and Nepal together since time immemorial and the politicisation of this issue would be regrettable and would not be conducive to the atmosphere of good relations, stressed Rao, who offered prayers at the holy shrine today and met officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT).

"The government of Nepal has conveyed its regret over the recent unfortunate incident and they have also assured that all measures would be taken to ensure the security and well being of the Indian priests and continuation of regular prayers at the revered temple," she told journalists here.

She said bilateral Home Secretary-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from November 6-7 to address matters relating to security. The entire gamut of bilateral security issues will be addressed during the meeting, she told reporters.