Krishna's Nepal visit begins tomorrow, five MoUs to be inked

I / Kathmandu January 14, 2010, 14:11 IST

India and Nepal are expected to ink five pacts for economic and technical cooperation and are also likely to discuss the issue of alleged Indian "encroachment" in border areas as External Affairs Minister S M Krishna arrives here on his first official visit tomorrow.

During Krishna's three-day visit, five MoUs are likely to be signed between Nepal and India that will include assistance in construction of infrastructure in Nepal, according to Indian Embassy sources and Foreign Ministry officials here.

The MoUs will include agreements on establishment of a Nepal Police Academy, upgradation of Nepal Stock Exchange, construction of roads in Hulaki or Terai Fast-track roads, establishment of a Scientific and Technical Research Centre and projects on rural electrification.

The issue of border-related problems will also feature during the high-level talks to be held here during the visit of Krishna, who will meet President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and hold bilateral parleys with his counterpart Sujata Koirala.

Ahead of the visit, the Maoists have intensified protests in the areas bordering India against what they allege is "encroachment" of territory by the Indian side.

Krishna will also hold meetings with top leaders of political parties including Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda and CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal, official sources here said.