Priests safe,Nepal assures India

“The Government of Nepal also reassured me that they have taken all necessary measures to ensure the security and well-being of the Indian priests and continuation of regular prayers at the temple.” Two Indian priests were recently thrashed by Maoists,who want Indians — customary priests in the temple for several decades — to be replaced by locals. New Delhi had reacted strongly to the incident,terming it as an attack on Indo-Nepal civilizational ties.

Rao met Nepal PM Madhav Kumar Nepal,although ex-PM and Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda,according to Nepal media,flew out for a four-day visit to Hong Kong to avoid any meeting with Rao.

Rao,who also met Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav,deputy PM Bijay Kumar Gachhadar and Foreign minister Sujata Koirala,held talks with her counterpart Gyan Chandra Acharya,which she described as a “very useful discussion” on issues of mutual interest.

The Foreign Secretary,who also met Nepal’s Home Minister Bhim Bahadur Rawal,said,“The Home Secretary-level talks will take place on November 6-7 in Kathmandu in which the entire gamut of bilateral security issues will be addressed. I reiterated India’s security concerns and the use of Nepalese territory for anti-India activities. The Nepalese side unequivocally reiterated their commitment that such activities will not be allowed.”

Rao also met Nepal’s Defence minister Bidya Devi Bhandari and is understood to have discussed cooperation on defence matters.

Rao,who met Nepalese leaders across the political spectrum including the former Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress,Girija Prasad Koirala and the Chairman of CPN (UML) Jhala Nath Khanal,said,“I assured these leaders of India’s strong commitment of support to Nepal in its transition to a democratic,prosperous,peaceful and stable future.”

Diversion of funds: US sends team to Pakistan

Washington: While the US said that it views “very seriously” former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s statement that assistance meant for war on terror was diverted to boost defences against India during his tenure,a top US official said a team was recently sent to Islamabad to review the reimbursement system under Coalition Support Funds.

In a written reply to Senate Armed Services Committee,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said the team was sent to review the Coalition Support Funds,which provides reimbursement to Pakistan for expense incurred in war on terrorism. PTI