Visiting External Affairs Minister of India, Pranab Mukherjee, has reiterated that the Indian government is ready to replace the old treaties between the two neighbors with new ones.

Mukherjee said this during a brief encounter with journalists in Sunsari district where he inspected the reconstruction works at the damaged Koshi embankment, on Wednesday.

He also said the Indian government is serious towards finding a proper solution to difficulties caused by damaged embankment of Koshi River, adding that Indian would extend all possible assistance to divert the river to its original path.

Mukherjee visited some of the flood-affected areas in Sunsari. Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav was present during the inspection visit.

During Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India in September, the two governments had reached an agreement to complete the reconstruction of Koshi dam by April next year.

Stating that India has suffered more from the inundation than Nepal, Mukherjee stressed the need for implementation of the past agreements.

According to Koshi agreement, construction, maintenance and reconstruction of the Koshi barrage and the dam is a liability of the Indian government.

Mukherjee is scheduled to return to New Delhi later today, completing his three-day trip to Nepal.