Nepal denies signing deal with India on airport, check posts

Nepalese Chairman of the Interim Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi on Monday denied that the government had signed any deal with India regarding upgrading the immigration system and setting up check posts at borders cities. "The government has not taken any decisions that have long-term implications, neither will do so in the coming days," Regmi's Press Adviser Bimal Gautam said in a press statement. The statement was made during Regmi's meeting with leaders of the country's major political parties on Monday. Last month, a document signed by the two countries' home secretaries states that "the Indian side proposed upgrading Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) and setting up immigration offices at the two border cities of Pashupatinagar of Illam district and Lumbini, on which Nepal agreed in principle." Nepal's four major political parties jointly met Regmi to ask him not to implement the two agreements, saying that it will have long-term impact on Nepal's security. A meeting of four parties on Saturday slammed the government for signing such deals with India. The Supreme Court of Nepal last Monday also asked the government to halt this process, as the government's plan to hand over the management of airport to India has met with wide criticism.