Koirala gets Bush treatment
By Bhola B Rana
Kathmandu , 6 June: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh set aside protocol to personally greet Girija Prasad Koirala at New Delhi Airport at the beginning of a four-day official visit Tuesday.
The gesture indicates a new turn in bilateral relations after the success of the April opposition movement supported by New Delhi.
Koirala received the treatment India accorded to US President George W Bush who was greeted at the airport by an Indian prime minister in May.
Welcoming ceremonies are normally held at the forecourt of the presidential mansion for visiting heads of state and government.
Koirala and Singh are to hold official talks Wednesday.
The fragile health of Koirala was confirmed when his personal physician Dr Madhu Ghimere sat next to the government chief in a car that sped Koirala to the aircraft
from the VVIP departing lounge at the airport.
Koirala is suffering from an incurable ling disease induced by heavy smoking.
People’s News/BR