Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues. It is a pleasure to welcome you once again and to thank you for taking part in our joint work yesterday.

Relations between our two countries have traditionally been friendly. Today, we could discuss opportunities for expanding our contacts, including the possible involvement of Russian companies in modernising facilities built with Soviet assistance. We could discuss our future joint work on infrastructure projects in Nepal and construction of hydropower plants, where Russia has substantial experience, as well as some other venues of our possible cooperation.

Madhav Kumar Nepal (as translated): Your Excellency, we would like to express our profound gratitude for the meeting, your invitation and the warm reception. Although you are a busy person, you have found the time to meet with us.

Nepal and Russia have been maintaining long-standing, very good and friendly relations.

Since Soviet times, our relations have been very strong and very close. More recently, this is probably the first, historic, visit by a prime minister after a long break.

In Nepal, there is a very good attitude towards Russia, and every Nepalese considers Russia to be his or her close friend.

The first Nepalese hydropower plant was built by the Soviet Union, which also constructed the first basic industrial facilities.

I am happy to note that two of my brothers studied in Russia. Great many students who received a top-quality education in various Soviet republics now work extremely successfully in different sectors of the Nepalese economy.

I am confident that my visit will give a new impetus to restoring the same level of friendly bilateral relations.