INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES

INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES

By Bhola B Rana

Kathmandu, 20 April: India Foreign Minister SM Krishna will arrive Wednesday for a three-day official talks as head of a 12-member delegation that includes top diplomat of the Indian Foreign Ministry Nirupama Rao.
The visit is Krishna’s second in 13 months and he visits at a time when the government of Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal hasn’t settled down even after the election of the government chief 3 February with Maoist support.
Government expansion hasn’t been completed and a foreign minister hasn’t been appointed yet.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Bharat Mohan Adhikari will host the visitor in the absence of a foreign minister. Adhikari and Krishna will hold talks soon after the arrival by special aircraft.
Krishna arrives at a time when the Maoist and UML coalition have a majority in parliament amid fears the two parties are attempting to polarize politics with communist domination at a time of constitution drafting that has hit a road block.
Maoists are also attempting a second comeback in two years by taking control of Singha Durbar through a secret 7-point agreement between Khanal and Maoist Chairman Prachanda to share the position of prime through a rotational system.
India helped bring Maoists into Maoists into the political mainstream with the 12-point New Delhi agreement with UCPN (Maoist) and seven parliamentary parties in New Delhi.
But Delhi-Maoist relations deteriorated soon after UCPN (Maoist) emerged as the largest political force replacing Nepali Congress in constituent assembly elections surprising the Indian establishment..
Krishna is taking up the anti-India rhetoric during a meeting with Chairman Prachanda and targeting of India business establishments.
Besides government leaders, the visitor will hold talks with other political party and business leaders.
Specifically, Krishna arrives at a time when it’s certain the second deadline to promulgate a constitution to institutionalize a declared republic won’t be met by28 May and the peace process has been delayed.
India has been playing a dominant role in Nepal’s internal politics after 2005.
The visit aims to consolidate Indian business interests specifically in lnd-locked Nepal.
The foreign ministry will visit Birgunj to inaugurate a terai road project and an integrated customs checkpoint along the border; Nepal and India share a 1,700 km open border.
Krishna is expected to invite Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal to visit India for his first foreign outing before attending a conference of least developed countries in Istanbul n May.
The foreign minister is also the highest level Indian dignitary to come visiting after 3 February.
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MAOIST POLITBURO MEET

Kathmandu, 20 April: A crucial two-day Maoist politburo meet begins Wednesday to select remaining members of a government team and discuss issues as it’s almost certain a deadline to promulgate a constitution won’t be met 28 May.
A meeting of the politburo has been convened after lower party bodies failed to select seven remaining ministers and l1 state ministers.
Top three party leaders have been pushing the candidacies of their supporters indicating a deep rift in the party.
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BUSINESSMAN ABDUCTED, KILLED

Kathmandu, 20 April: The headless body of Ram Gulam Sah was found in Dhanusha Monday after his abduction Friday.
Jwala Singh group of Janatantrik Terai Muktiorcha claimed responsibility.
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BHOJPURVDC SECRETARIS RESIGN EN MASSE

Kathmandu, 20April: Thirty-six Bhojpur VDC secretaries resigned en masse Tuesday.
They cited threats from Kirat Janabadi Workers.
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FOREIGN SECRETARY CONGRATULATES BRITAIN’S PRINCE WILLIAM

Kathmandu, 20 April: Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai Tuesday went to the British embassy and extended a goodwill message on the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton to be solemnized 29 April.
Bhattarai was accompanied by officials of the foreign ministry.
Deputy Head of Mission Guy Harrison welcomed the foreign ministry team.
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