Koirala arrives, India welcomes new Nepal government

Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala arrived here Sunday for the 14th SAARC summit as India welcomed the formation of the interim government in the Himalayan state and hoped it will create "conditions for holding free and fair elections" to the constituent assembly.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Koirala Monday and discuss with him a range of bilateral issues including trade and economic relations between the two countries.

"The government of India welcomes the constitution of the interim government in Nepal under the leadership of Prime Minister G.P. Koirala," external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said in a statement.

Describing the formation of the interim government as "another step forward in the implementation of the peace process", the spokesperson hoped that it will lead towards conditions in which the people of Nepal can determine their future through free and fair elections to the constituent assembly.

"While continuing our support to the people and political parties in Nepal to carry forward the peace process, the government of India looks forward to working with the interim government to further strengthen India's traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations with Nepal," the statement added.

In a historic development, Nepal's interim government with the participation of former Maoist rebels took office Sunday. The 22-member interim cabinet was sworn in by Koirala moments after he was elected unanimously to the post by Nepal's interim legislature. (IANS)

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