Rajnath to visit Nepal for SAARC home ministers' meet

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Nepal Sep 18-19 to take part in the sixth meeting of SAARC home or interior ministers.

Spokesperson at Nepal's ministry of foreign affairs Khaganath Adhikari Sunday said the meeting will take up common regional security issues and implementation of the past agreements.

It is expected that Rajnath Singh and Pakistan's Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan will meet on the sideline of the meeting.

Rajnath Singh, Nisar Ali Khan and other ministers from the member states will be arriving in Kathmandu Sep 18.

In the spirit of 17th SAARC Summit held in Male, Maldives, the member states had declared their commitment to rooting out terrorism, taking into account its linkages with illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism -- the forthcoming meeting will focus on these issues, a diplomat told IANS.

At the same summit, the leaders also called for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.

"Given the important directives of the 17th Summit, this Ministerial Meeting is, therefore, timely and important, as it is expected to agree on measures to realise the Summit's directives," said the diplomat.

The three-tier meeting will begin at the joint secretary-level, and then move on to secretary- and home minister-level meetings.

The meeting will also focus on strengthening networking among police authorities of SAARC member countries and also enhance information sharing among the law enforcement agencies.

The participants, including Rajnath Singh, will meet Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam.

During the bilateral talks between Singh and Gautam, the two leaders will also discuss bilateral security issues and other matters of mutual interest, said officials.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)