Nepal Rashtra Bank in touch with RBI on old notes issue: MEA

Nepal's Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat had raised the issue of collection and deposit of old notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 during his meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Ministry said.

"The Nepal Rashtra Bank has been in touch with the RBI regarding Nepal's request for facilitation in collection and deposit of old series notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations that are already in stock of the central banks, other banks/financial institutions and held by Nepalese citizens.

"This matter came up in the meeting between the Foreign Minister Mahat and Finance Minister Jaitley as well on 17 January," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

He said earlier, in this connection, a meeting was held here on January 12 between officials of the Reserve Bank of India and Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB).

"The meeting was productive and the RBI will remain in touch with the Nepal Rashtra Bank in the matter," Swarup added.

When asked about recent reports of a Nepalese national's name with suspected ISI links figuring in connection with the Kanpur train mishap, he said "investigation is on and let it be completed", adding the investigators are in touch will officials in other countries as well.