Kathmandu: India has asked Nepal to focus on fostering economic ties between the two countries for mutual prosperity, saying the Himalayan kingdom can benefit from its neighbour's huge market, which provides duty-free access to Nepalese products.

"India is an asset to Nepal, as it is a vast country standing next door with its huge market for duty free access to Nepalese products," Indian Ambassador to Kathmandu Shyam Saran said at a function organised by Nepal-India Friendship Society to celebrate the Republic Day, in Kathmandu on January 27. The prosperity of Nepal and India lies in fostering economic partnership between them, he said.

Observing that Nepal was passing through a difficult situation due to terrorism, political turmoil and economic downturn, Saran said India wants to see Nepal overcome these crises and move forward.

Like India, Nepal was also suffering from terrorism, the Ambassador said and expressed confidence that the menace will soon be uprooted.

Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal said his country highly regards India's help in curbing the Maoist terror.

Elements aiming at disturbing Nepal-India relations will never succeed as there are strong people-to-people ties between the two countries, he added.

PTI