“We are concerned about smuggling of fake Indian currency notes to India through Nepal,” said Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at the end of his three-day visit to Nepal. “I conveyed to the Nepali leadership that terrorism is a common threat to India and Nepal and our security concerns are interlinked because of an open border.[break]
Krishna, who arrived here on Wednesday for a three-day visit, returned New Delhi on Friday after meeting government leadership and top leaders of various political parties. India´s security concerns had featured in all the meetings.
“I also stressed the importance of the early formalization of the revised Extradition Treaty and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that have been pending for over six years as these would enable better coordination and cooperation between the security agencies of the two countries,” Krishna told a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Earlier on Friday morning, Krishna met Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to register India´s displeasure over anti-Indian activities of the former rebel parties and over attacks on Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood. He had expressed similar concerns with the government as well.
“I conveyed our serious concern on the attacks on our Ambassador, which is completely contrary to the rich tradition of hospitability that Nepal is known for and requested the government of Nepal to provide adequate safety to Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises in Nepal,” Krishna said.
Krishna said that constitution writing and peace process should be completed by May 28. He stressed on the need for keeping the Nepal Army apolitical.
Security of Indian investment in Nepal was also one of Krishna´s concerns. He urged Nepal to formalize the Bilateral Investment Protection and Promotion of Agreement (BIPPA) and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
Earlier in the afternoon, he laid the foundation stone of the Tarai Road Project and integrated check posts in Birgunj.
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