India has expressed dissatisfaction over what it called "politicisation" of Nepal government's earlier decision to award the printing contract of machine readable passports (MRPs) to India.
"It is a matter of regret that the issue has been politicized in Nepal and confidential communication from the Embassy has been publicised," said a press release issued by the Indian embassy on Tuesday.
It further said that India agreed to supply the machine readable passport booklets through its government undertaking, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL), at a concessional price, "as a gesture of goodwill and in keeping with the friendly relations between the two countries."
"In the spirit of mutual cooperation, the Government of India further agreed to provide, at its cost, technical assistance, which included supply of software and hardware equipment, installation of these equipments at the Central passport Office in Kathmandu and training of GON officials for personalization of Machine Readable Passports," added the press release.
It said the arrangements agreed with the Government of Nepal would have allowed it to issue machine readable passports by early-June 2010, adding at the end that Government of India remains "committed to strengthening India-Nepal relations which have withstood the test of time".
Earlier today morning, Indian ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood met with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
Sources say, ambassador Sood expressed dissatisfaction over the government decision to revoke the contract for printing MRPs during the meeting with the PM.
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