Nirupama Rao arrives in Kathmandu on 2-day visit

Kathmandu, Sep 14 (PTI) Indian Foreign Secretary
Nirupama Rao arrived here Monday on a two-day visit during
which she will hold talks with top Nepalese leadership and
discuss political developments in this country, besides
visiting Pashupatinath temple where two Indian priests were
thrashed by Maoists.

During her maiden visit here as Foreign Secretary, Rao
will hold talks with her counterpart Gyan Chandra Acharya and
Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala.

She is expected to call on President Ram Baran Yadav
and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal besides meeting other
senior officials.

On her arrival here, Rao told reporters that India's
relationship with Nepal is very important.

"We have had a long standing friendship and
cooperation with Nepal. I look forward very much in
strengthening the ties with Nepal during my tenure (as Foreign
Secretary)," she said.

Rao is scheduled to visit Tuesday the famous
Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, where two newly-appointed
Indian priests were beaten up by a group of Maoists demanding
their replacement by local 'pujaris'. The incident had drawn
strong condemnation from India.

She is also likely to meet leaders of various
political parties, including opposition Maoist chief
Prachanda.

The visit is a regular one and aimed at acquainting
her about the current political developments in the Himalayan
republic, Indian embassy sources said. PTI