External Affairs Minister meets Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal in New Delhi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal Kamal Thapa arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India today. Mr Thapa met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj this evening and discussed issues of mutual interest.

On the occasion, Mrs. Swaraj reaffirmed India’s interest in development and stability in Nepal.

The Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, bilateral mechanisms including political exchanges, connectivity and trade were reviewed during the meeting.

Tomorrow, the visiting dignitary will preside over South Asian University Convocation at Vigyan Bhawan.

India and Nepal discussed issues of mutual security at the 12th meeting of their Bilateral Consultative Group (BCG) on security issues held in the Capital, the external affairs ministry said on Friday.

“The BCG discussions covered issues relating to mutual security concerns as well as defence and training requirements, exchange of experts/instructors, cooperation in disaster management, and the 10th Surya Kiran joint military exercises at battalion level to be held in Nepal in October-November 2016,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Indian delegation at the meeting, held on Thursday, was led by Abhay Thakur, joint secretary (north) in the ministry of external affairs. The Nepalese delegation, was led by Prakash Kumar Suvedi, joint secretary (South Asia) in Nepal’s ministry of foreign affairs.

“The delegations on both sides comprised officials from the respective ministries of defence and several directorates and departments of the Indian Army and the Nepal Army, including training and operations,” the external affairs ministry statement said.