India-Nepal to expand multi-faceted bilateral ties

A joint statement, issued at the end of the Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai`s three-day visit today, said that India and Nepal have directed that all the bilateral and institutional mechanism be "revitalised" and convened regularly.

"The two Prime Ministers directed that all the bilateral institutional mechanisms be revitalised and convened regularly. They directed early meetings of the Joint Ministerial Commission on Water Resources and Home Secretaries," said the joint statement.

It said Bhattarai briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the ongoing peace process in Nepal as well as drafting of a new Constitution.

"The Prime Minister of Nepal elucidated on the peace process and constitution drafting. He appreciated and expressed thanks to the Government and people of India for their support and expressed hope to receive India`s goodwill and understanding for Nepal`s peace process," it said.

The two sides discussed security concerns related to the open border between the two countries and the Nepalese side assured that it would not allow its territory to be used for any activity against India and the Indian side also gave the same assurance to the Nepalese side.

"Both sides noted that the multi-faceted and deep-rooted relationships between the two countries needed further consolidation and expansion in a forward-looking manner to better reflect the current realities.