KATHMANDU: Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal held separate courtesy meetings on Tuesday with India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, and China’s Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song.

In the meeting with the Indian Ambassador, Finance Minister Khanal discussed the long-standing relationship between Nepal and India and expressed gratitude for India’s continuous support to Nepal.

He also highlighted the need to sustain economic partnerships with neighboring and donor countries due to the challenging circumstances prevailing in Nepal.

On this occasion, the Indian Ambassador stated that, as Nepal’s closest neighbor, India would maintain its special relationship with Nepal and continue all forms of support even in this difficult situation.

The Ambassador added that India is ready to provide necessary assistance and cooperation to intensify development projects and programs run with Indian support and to boost the morale of Indian private sector investors in Nepal.

The meeting also discussed strengthening coordination between the two countries to facilitate trade between Nepal and India.

Similarly, in the meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Finance Minister Khanal acknowledged China as a good neighbor and expressed gratitude for China’s continued support to Nepal.

During the meeting, Minister Khanal noted that the current government, formed under specific circumstances, intends to complete elections on schedule and emphasized that the government would continue economic partnerships with China.

He also requested Ambassador Chen to further deepen Nepal-China banking partnerships, allow the establishment of Chinese bank branches in Nepal, simplify payments for exports from Nepal, and encourage Chinese investors to invest in Nepal.