Don't want to prescribe constitutional model to Nepal: India

KATHMANDU: India today said it does not want to prescribe any model to Nepal over its Constitution and is only concerned about violence and instability in the neighbouring country that would also affect India as well.

"The promulgation of the new Constitution in Nepal after an exercise of 60-70 years was a big achievement for Nepal and India dose not prescribe any model," Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae said.

He also dismissed reports that India is unhappy with the new Constitution in Nepal.

"The only concern for India is that the Constitution should be acceptable to all sections and it should not bring instability and threaten peace," he said, referring to the ongoing protests by Indian-origin Madhesi people who are opposed to splitting Nepal into seven provinces.

Nepal is facing acute fuel shortage due to the blockade of key trade points with India by Mashesis.

"India's only concern is that there should be peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal after the promulgation of the Constitution as violence and instability in Nepal will also have similar impact on India as well," Rae said addressing a symposium here.

He made it clear that how to delineate the boundary of provinces and what type of Constitution Nepal wants is entirely up to the people and political parties of Nepal to decide.

He said fanning anti-India sentiments would not serve Nepal's interest.

"There are reports of fanning anti-India sentiment in Nepal by some vested interest groups in the pretext of the disruption of supplies of essential goods due to the blockade in the Nepal-India border, which is neither in the interest of India nor that of Nepal," Rae said.

"Burning effigies of Indian leaders and the Indian flag will not serve the interest of Nepal," he said expressing concern over such incidents which are being promoted deliberately in the pretext of the ongoing problem.

He said India has taken up Nepal's request to resume supplies of essential commodities including fuel and Liquid Petroleum Gas and the vehicles carrying such goods have been re-routed after Raxaul-Birgunj trading point, where 70 per cent of the trade takes place, has been disrupted due to agitation.

The long-term solution to the problem is to address the demands of the agitating Madhesi parties through dialogue, Rae said.