Indian Ambassador Srivastava meets Speaker Aryal, discusses Nepal-India ties

Kathmandu: Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava today paid a courtesy call on Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal at Singha Durbar, where the two discussed bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation.

Speaker Aryal said Nepal and India share long-standing ties based on common civilisation, geographical proximity and close socio-cultural links. He said cooperation in trade, security, civil aviation, water resources and connectivity, along with regular high-level exchanges, has further strengthened the relationship.

He expressed hope for greater cooperation in expanding air, rail and bus connectivity between the two countries. Aryal also said he had invited the Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, Om Birla, to visit Nepal at a mutually convenient time.

Ambassador Srivastava said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is interested in visiting Nepal and invited Speaker Aryal and Nepali lawmakers to visit India to observe parliamentary practices.

The Indian Ambassador said parliamentary diplomacy and high-level political dialogue play an important role in strengthening Nepal-India relations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.