Indian Foreign Secretary calls on Foreign Affairs Minister Rana

Kathmandu, Aug 12: The visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba at the Foreign Ministry here in Singha Durbar on Monday.     

During the meeting, they discussed various aspects of the bilateral relations as well as the economic and development cooperation and projects, among other topics, the Ministry stated.     

On the occasion, Minister Dr Rana raised the topic of providing Nepal with additional air routes for expanding the Nepal-India air connectivity. She also brought up the topic of India's initiative to establish a laboratory for testing the quality of vegetables and fruits imported through the border areas of Nepal and India.     

Regarding moving ahead with the remaining works of the Pancheshwar Project that Minister Rana put forth during the talks, they discussed that most of the problems related to it were resolved and the remaining problems would be addressed through the technical group.     

Similarly, through the visiting Foreign Secretary of India, the Foreign Affairs Minister put before the Government of India topics such as releasing water in the irrigation canal from the Tanakpur dam and providing the required assistance for controlling floods and reducing risk in the Banganga, Khando and Rapti rivers. She also raised the context of the inauguration of an RCC bridge constructed over the Mahakali River in Darchula.     

Minister Rana also discussed the topic of giving continuity to the trade and transit talks. She expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the rescue and support for the Jajarkot earthquake-affected people