Thursday, June 8 2006 17:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India today (June 8, 2006) assured Nepal of all assitance within its means to reconstruct the Himalayan State and announced it would provide 25,000 tonnes of fertiliser at subsidised rates.

"We will provide 15,000 tonnes of urea and 10,000 tonnes of DAP at subsidised rates to Nepal and help them rebuild the country, which has witnessed difficult times in the last few years," Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ramvilas Paswan told reporters after meeting Nepal's Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mahanta Thakur here today.

Despite the huge demand of these fertilisers in the country, the government would accommodate Nepal's request at the earliest, he said, adding the two governments would make efforts to prevent smuggling of fertilisers in Terai region bordering Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

"Fertilisers would be equally priced in the two countries and would be sent through a government agency," he added.

Thakur, who is accompanying Nepalese Prime Minister B P Koirala on his India visit, said, "We are facing shortage of fertilisers and nearly 85 per cent of the polulation there depends on agriculture and allied sector."

When asked about the discussions with Maoist, he said the Government is willing to talk and find a peaceful solution.

He, however, said discussions with Maoists could not be held as most of them were underground.

The Nepalese minister also said the Government is sincerely trying to resolve the issue of citizenship of people who reside in the bordering areas of India and Nepal.

"We need India's help on that issue as well," Thakur said.