INDIA SEEKS INVOLVEMENT IN LUMBINI DEVELOPMENT

INDIA OPPOSES INTERNATIONAL EFFORT FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF LUMBINI

Kathmandu, 9 Nov.: India’s troubleshooter Dr. Karan Singh Tuesday demanded India’s close involvement in the development of Lumbni, the birthplace of The Buddha.
“We (India) should be very closely involved,” he told reporters
before emplaning for New Delhi.
Singh came ostensibly to receive an honourary degree during the convocation of the Kathmandu but held extensive discussions with leaders chiefs of political parties and Prime Ministers Baburam
Bhattarai at a sensitive juncture when the 30 November deadline to
promulgate a constitution and complete peace process ends.
Singh dropped the message for deep involvement when China
has shown interest in investing several billion dollars for the development of Lumbini, the birthplace of The Buddha.
Lumbini has long been neglected by successive governments.
Maoist Chairman Prachanda Wednesday asked UN General Secretary Ban
Ki-moon garner international support for the development of
Lumbini, which is l8 km from the open Indo-Nepal border.
India considers Lumbini and other areas along the 1,700 open
border its backyard.
Singh is a top leader of ruling Indian National Congress of
Sonia Gandhi.
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JAPAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR 7-POINT AGREEENT

Kathmandu, 9 Nov.: Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kunio Takahashi called on Nepali Congress (NC) President Sushil Koirala on Wednesday to learn about the latest progress in Nepal’s political spectrum after the signing of 7-point peace deal, RSS
reports..

In a 45-minute-long meeting held at Koirala Residence in Maharajgunj, Japanese diplomat Takahashi inquired about the ongoing peace process and the recent seven-point deal signed by the UCPN-Maoist establishment faction and non-Maoist actors last week.

On the occasion, the Japanese envoy pledged to extend all possible supports and cooperation to conclude the peace process at the earliest.

In reply, President Koirala said, the seven-point agreement inked among the parties over peace, statute, government-formation and power sharing is historical and expressed confidence that their consensual agreement and commitment could move ahead the implementation of the peace deal.
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