Nepal seeks India's support to move peace process forward

Kathmandu, June 19: Nepal today sought India's cooperation in moving the peace process forward, giving indications ahead of Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon's visit that it was looking forward to closer bilateral ties.

"The CPN-UML led coalition government has accorded high priority to taking the peace process to its logical end and to draft the new constitution on time," Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala told PTI in an interview.

Menon will arrive here tomorrow on a two-day visit to impress upon the Nepalese leadership the need to take the peace process forward. Koirala said Nepal needs India's cooperation in this regard.

The country is in the midst of political uncertainty since May 4 when Maoist premier Prachanda resigned following differences with the President over the sacking of the Army Chief.

The CPN-UML has come to power heading a 22-party coalition but is yet to consolidate its alliance and is also facing difficulties in taking the sulking Maoists on board.

"We need India's cooperation and support to move the peace process forward. Nepal government wants to strengthen bilateral relations with neighbouring countries, especially India," the 55-year-old daughter of former premier and Nepali Congress patriarch Girija Prasad Koirala said. PTI