British Minister of State at Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, ending a three-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday lauded the political parties for their agreement on the Commissions on Truth and Reconciliation and on Enforced Disappearances.

However, he added: "International laws, endorsed by Nepal, state that certain crimes cannot be amnestied. Nepal’s reputation will be safeguarded, indeed enhanced, by choosing independent and competent Commissioners who will be ready to recommend amnesty only where consistent with those laws."

He said the future of relations between Nepal and Britain would be built around mutual security and prosperity. Swire visited the British Gurkha camp in Pokhara on Tuesday and met veterans.  He also spoke to students at Tri Chandra College, and met Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey, and at an airport briefing to journalists (pictured) expressed concern about Nepal's domestic aviation safety.

british minister Photo: British Embassy, Kathmandu

More than 40,000 Britons visit Nepal every year, and Swire said it was a matter of mutual concern that Nepal should work on its poor air safety record. It was near where Swire spoke that eight British nationals were among 18 passengers killed when a Sita Air Dornier crashed soon after taking off for Lukla two years ago. An investigation found the plane to be overloaded.

Swire urged political leaders to find common ground and deliver a new Constitution. "That alone would not be enough to guarantee the sustainable and inclusive economic growth that the people of Nepal need and deserve," he said. "With the appropriate policies to ensure the poor and the marginalised are not left behind, a rising economic tide will lift all boats."

Swire was accompanied by a delegation of British businesses as well. Before leaving Kathmandu, Swire told journalists: "I want to underline one message: the UK, in particular through our Department for International Development, will continue to make wealth creation and supporting Nepal’s economic take off the core of our bilateral support to Nepal."