Role reversal between Nepal, Bangla

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held discussions with his Nepal counterpart G P Koirala this morning. Koirala is accompanied by a 30-member delegation that includes Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan and Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat.

Both the sides discussed regional issues and the problem of Bhutanese refugees. Koirala had updated the Indian Prime Minister about the recent political developments in Nepal and said that the peace process was moving forward positively. Both the leaders also discussed the issue of the constituent Assembly elections in Nepal. 8220;India has offered full support to the peace process in Nepal8221;, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said.

Meanwhile, for Iftekar Ahmed Choudhury it was his highest-level interaction with India after the recent developments in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh chief adviser apprised India about the steps taken to tackle the issues of 8220;crime and corruption8221;. India hoped that the democratically elected government was in lines with the 8220;will of Bangladeshi people8221;.

Meanwhile, in a step to promote easier movement of mediapersons in the region, SAARC foreign ministers today decided to give visa stickers to 50 journalists from each member country. Immigration officials from SAARC countries will meet in a few months to see how this decision can be implemented, Menon said.