Nepal Foreign Affairs (KAHMANDU, 18 April) – President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that the close and friendly bilateral relations should be further strengthened for into a mutual partnership for growth and development. President Bhandari has been busy in high level meetings today.
During a call on by the Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning, President reiterated Nepal-India mutual cooperation for economic growth and develoment.
Minister of External Affairs Shusma Sawarj stated that India has attached high priority to cooperative relations with Nepal and mentioned that her Ministry has been undertaking regular review of bilateral cooperation projects in order to ensure their timely progress.
During the separate call on, Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh mentioned of the excellent state of bilateral cooperation including in the area of security and stated that India would always be supportive for Nepal’s progress and prosperity.
In the afternoon, President attended the interaction programme with business community organized jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Confederation of Indian Industry, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ASSOCHAM India.
In her brief remarks, President said that cooperation and partnership has become the defining feature of inter-state relationship in today’s globalized and interdependent world. She mentioned that Nepal treats private sector as partner for development and has provided various invectives for the private sector to grow including low tariff, simplification of taxes, development of trade and industry related basic infrastructure. She called on the investors from India to visit Nepal and take advantage of the investment opportunities available in Nepal, press release issued by Nepali Embassy in Delhi has mentioned.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat also addressed the programme and highlighted the salient features of business friendly policy initiatives and other measures undertaken in Nepal.
Earlier in the morning, President was accorded a Ceremonial Reception at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was received by Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India and Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. During the ceremony, President inspected the Guard of Honour.
President Bhandari visited the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and signed the visitor’s book. She also visited the Yamuna Biodiversity Park at the Bank of Yamuna River and planted a sampling there.