WASHINGTON -- President Reagan welcomed the king of Nepal to the White House today and praised the tiny Central Asian kingdom for supplying U.N. troops in Lebanon and speaking out on world affairs. In remarks on the cold, windswept South Lawn, Reagan said that although they are continents apart, ties between the United States and Nepal have grown stronger since Nepal won its independence in 1947.
Reagan praised Nepal for condemning the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and for supplying 200 troops to the United Nations International Force in Lebanon.
'The world needs more nations like Nepal which are willing to shoulder the burden of world peace as well as advocating it in world forums,' Reagan said.
He told King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, 'The challenges you face on the frontier are formidable,' referring to Nepal's top-of-the-world location between China and India.
The kingdom, which serves as a 56,000-square-mile base for the Himalayas, the the world's highest mountains, has about 15 million people and is somewhat larger than North Carolina.
Referring to efforts to modernize and to develop Nepal, Reagan said, 'Your people have been blessed with something money can't buy - wise leadership.'
The king, 37, accompanied by Queen Aishwarya, wore a black coat with a black fur collar, white jodphurs and a black Nehru-style cap. The queen wore a lime-green sari with a mink jacket, and a matching green head scarf.
'America is proud that for a third of a century we played a part in your development efforts,' Reagan said. 'We plan to continue American investment in Nepal's economic development during the next five years, including the funding of new agriculture research and training projects, areas your majesty has identified as vital to improving the well-being of your people.'
Reagan planned to discuss the level of assistance to Nepal, which so far has exceeded $270 million. Current aid to Nepal totals $13.5 million a year.
'The Peace Corps also will continue its important work in Nepal,' the president added. Referring to political reforms under way in Nepal, Reagan said, 'The United States respects these and other initiatives your majesty is making to develop popular institutions.'
'There is every reason to be confident that your goals of economic progress, political stability and national security will be reached,' he said. 'America is happy to offer encouragement and support in these noble efforts.'
In response, the king said Nepal is committed to the 'inspiring ideals' of the United States and wishes to see the United States 'as a bulwark of peace and stability cherishing the belief that all nations of the world, whether big or small, rich or poor, developed or developing, must have a place under the sun.'
The king said he looked forward to an exchange of views with Reagan and is 'confident that our visit to this country will be fruitful as well as memorable.'
King Birendra said that it was a 'nostalgic moment' for him to be at the White House and remembered a similar occasion in 1967 when he stood by the side of his father, the late King Mahendra.
Having studied at Harvard University, the king said he did not 'feel a complete stranger to this land' and 'it is a fulfilling experience for me to be back here again.'
An administration official said that Reagan will make a statement in his toast tonight at the state dinner on the king's 1975 call for a 'zone of peace'.
The proposal provides for Nepal to devote its energies to economic development and not to allow its territory to be used for aggressive purposes against its neighbors.
The official said that the morning meeting between the two leaders 'were entirely consistent with the spirit of cordiality and (were) problem free.'
'They were very frank, very cordial and quite meaningful,' he said.
