Acharya said, "The issue of extradition treaty between Nepal and India did not figure in the meeting with Pakistani secretary." At present, the Indian government-proposed extradition treaty is said to be a major concern for Pakistani government at present. During Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankhar Menon´s recent visit to Nepal, Menon had said that talks will be initiated at home secretaries´ level on taking the proposed extradition treaty forward. India has given priority to signing of this sensitive treaty as no other agreement exists between India and Nepal on extradition. Most importantly, India wants such a treaty with Nepal due to alleged ISI activities emanating from Nepali soil. It is also an issue raised by India´s intelligence agency RAW for quite some time to effectively check terrorism in South Asia, mainly terrorist attack in India instigated by Pakistani-based terrorist outfits.
Addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Narayanhiti Sunday, Acharya said that in order to improve political relations with Pakistan, both sides laid emphasis on high-level visits between the heads of states of the two countries. In this regard, the Pakistani secretary extended a formal invitation to Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala on behalf of Pakistani Foreign Minister after Koirala met Secretary Bashir Sunday.
In addition, the two secretaries held talks on cultural and trade-related aspects of the relation between the two countries. Nepal has sought technical cooperation in the commercial agriculture development sector as Pakistan is one of the top exporters of agricultural products such rice and wheat in the world. "We have requested for technical training at Farizabad University," Acharya said, adding, "We are also looking at technology transfer in textile and leather items, in which Pakistan has very good expertise." The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation last year.
Secretary Acharya, however, said that since the trade deficit is minimum (Rs 180 million import and Rs 80 million export) with Pakistan, the focus is "on enhancing areas of bilateral cooperation and exploring opportunities to extend trade relations."
The two sides have laid emphasis on increased participation of the two countries in the trade fairs. In this regard, both sides will encourage engagement of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Pakistani Chamber of Commerce to enter meaningful dialogue to further the trade relation between the two countries. At present, Nepal imports leather goods, dry fruits and some other items and exports herbs, tea, and Pashmina products. Nepali tea is provided duty free access by Pakistan. But the trade so far is via air. Nepal is also trying for export of cardamom to Pakistan.
Pakistan and Nepal also reached agreement on joint tourism program initiated last February. As per the understanding, talks were initiated with Asian Development Bank to promote regional tourism. Four Buddhist towns -- Lumbini (Nepal), Kandy (Sri Lanka), Nalanda (India) and Takshila (Pakistan) -- is incorporated under the regional tourism promotion program.
Moreover, Nepal wants additional scholarships for Nepali students, which Pakistan has been providing each year. "We also spoke on the possibility of additional scholarship in other fields besides the existing ones," Acharya responded to a query. Pakistan has been providing scholarship to Nepali students in the filed of medicine, engineering, pharmacy and one in dental science. As per the agreement, 15 scholarships are annually granted by the Pakistani government. But last year alone some 31 Nepali students went on scholarship to various Pakistani colleges.
Acharya informed that Nepal will start "internal consultations" to develop an action plan for the next foreign secretary-level talks scheduled for next year in Islamabad. Also, a task force has been proposed at the commerce secretary level to enhance trade relation between the two states.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Bashir said, "The issues of bilateral concerns were raised during the talks." He denied divulging specific issues that came up in his meeting.
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