New Delhi, September 12
Expressing determination to combat terrorism New Delhi today assured Kathmandu of further strengthening its security forces, including Nepal police, for curbing the Maoist insurgency.

The assurance came from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the joint statement issued at the end of the five-day visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

"The Prime Ministers reiterated the determination of the two countries in combating the scourge of terrorism. They agreed to further intensify cooperation in curbing the activities of the extremists," the statement said.

"In this context they express satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation under the existing mechanism in the areas of equipment, training and exchange of information".

As Dr Singh reassured Nepal of the support of the Government of India for further strengthening of its security forces, including the Nepal police, Mr Deuba thanked India for the "timely and substantive" support provided towards efforts to deal with Maoist insurgency.

The two Prime Ministers stressed the need for early conclusion of the Extradition Treaty and Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and directed the Home Secretaries to take up the matter at the next meeting here next month to finalise the documents.

On boundary demarcation, the two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the joint technical level boundary committee and directed it to complete the remaining task by June next year.

They were also satisfied at the progress of the implementation of various Nepal-India economic and development cooperation projects and reiterated the desire to further deepen and diversify such cooperation.

The two Prime Ministers also welcomed the proposal regarding cooperation for development of road network in the terai (plains) including the development identified stretches of Hulaki Rajmarg.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the idea of cooperation for conservation and development of Churia Range in Nepal. A concept paper would be forwarded by the Nepalese side.

They decided that the proposed Institute of Technology in the far western region of Nepal would be set up in two phases.