Question : Visit of Former Nepali PM

(a) whether the former Prime Minister of Nepal and Chairperson of the recently merged Communist Party of Nepal had paid a visit to New Delhi in the month of September this year and discussed various issues with the Minister of External Affairs and Prime Minister of India;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether the various activities of China have increased in Nepal and whether the steps taken by the Government of India to counter such Chinese activities are adequate; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the details of fresh efforts made by the Government to reduce influence of China in Nepal and build a strategic relationship with Nepal?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) At the invitation of the Indian Council of World Affairs, former Prime Minister of Nepal and Co-Chairman of Nepal Communist Party, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, visited India from 06-09 September 2018 to address the 31st Sapru House Lecture on “Recent Development in Nepal and Advancing India-Nepal Partnership for Shared Prosperity”. During his visit to India, former Prime Minister of Nepal called on the Prime Minister of India and held a meeting with the External Affairs Minister of India. In the bilateral meetings, the leaders discussed issues of mutual interest including ways to advance cooperative ties between the two countries.

(c) & (d) Government of India has age-old, multifaceted partnership with Nepal, which is under-pinned by close people-to-people relations. India’s close ties with Nepal stand firmly on their own. Government closely follows all developments having a bearing on India’s national interests and takes all necessary measures to pursue and safeguard these. Government has expanded its partnership with Nepal across diverse sectors, including through expediting implementation of various connectivity, development and economic projects. Government remains fully committed to strengthening and deepening its multi-faceted bilateral partnership with the Government and people of Nepal for the mutual benefit and progress of both countries.

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