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India, Nepal ink four pacts
September 09, 2004 20:02 IST
India on Thursday offered to help Nepal deal with the Maoist problem.
The two countries also signed four agreements, including one to build a pipeline to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products to Nepal.
Two of the agreements on weather forecasting and culture and sports were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba after the two leaders held one-on-one talks.
The two sides also exchanged views on matters of regional and international concern.
Nepalese officials said Kathmandu's concerns over the Maoist threat were conveyed to India during Deuba's talks with the PM and with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh.
"Understanding, cooperation and assistance from India have a critical bearing on Nepal's fight against terrorism," Deuba said.
It was conveyed to Deuba that India viewed this as a "common problem and is ready to extend any help required by Nepal", an official said.
With a long and porous border with Nepal, India is also concerned over the possible spill over of the Maoist problem in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Assam.