Shortly after landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport, she reached Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala´s residence to pay courtesy call on him. Singh inquired about the latest political developments in Nepal, upcoming Constituent Assembly election and other issues of mutual concern, according to Koirala´s aide Laxman Dhakal. The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes.[break]
She also held a separate meeting with CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal later in the evening. During the meeting she said India is ready to provide all support for the upcoming elections, according to the CPN-UML. Singh also invited Khanal to visit India whenever it is convenient to him.
Singh is due to hold meeting with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhesi leaders on Sunday morning. Singh will also pay courtesy call on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Chairman of Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi and Foreign Minister Madhav Prasad Ghimire.
According to officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Singh will separately hold a meeting with her Nepali counterpart Arjun Bahadur Thapa to review the progress made so far on the implementation of various agreements. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that this visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries," said a statement issued by MoFA.
Singh is accompanied by Joint Secretary (North) of the Ministry of External Affairs Abhay Thakur. This is the first visit of Singh outside the country after she was appointed as Foreign Secretary of India on 1 August 2013. She will return to New Delhi Sunday evening.
Indian Foreign Secy’s Nepal visit paves way for PM Oli’s India...