India wants to see early promulgation of statute in Nepal: S Jaishankar, Foreign Secy

KATHMANDU: India today underlined the need for an early promulgation of Nepal's new Constitution by forging consensus among political parties and offered help in attaining the country political stability and economic prosperity.

Talking to reporters at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Nepal, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that he had held "fruitful" discussions with top Nepalese leadership on multifaceted bilateral ties.

Besides calling on President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Jaishankar held talks with top leaders of various political parties, including CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli.

He also held fruitful discussions with his Nepalese counterpart Shankar Bairagi during which they reviewed the progress made in the multifaceted bilateral relationship, Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar said he expressed India's willingness to help Nepal attain economic prosperity by establishing lasting peace and political stability, he said.

"India is committed to working with the people of Nepal for a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal," Jaishankar said.

"Our relations with Nepal are and will continue to be a matter of the highest priority for India," he said.

Senior leader of the Nepali Congress Arjun Narsing K C quoted Jaishankar as saying that India wants Nepal to resolve its ongoing political crisis by promulgating a new Constitution soon.

"India wants to see early promulgation of the constitution in Nepal and resolution of all the issues by forging consensus among the political parties," he said.

Jaishankar's visit came at a time when Nepal's ruling and opposition alliances are sharply divided on key issues of the Constitution, mainly the federal structure and forms of governance.

Jaishankar, however, made it clear that India is in no way interested to interfere in Nepal's affairs, and said "how Nepal wants to move forward entirely depends on the people and the leadership of the country," Narsing told PTI.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Dinesh Bhattarai said that in his meeting with Koirala, Jaishankar discussed the progress on implementation of projects of mutual benefits and bilateral agreements signed during the first visit to Nepal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar had a series of meetings with senior political leaders here, including UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda, vice- chairman of the party Baburam Bhattarai, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Subhash Nemwang, Foreign Minister Mahendra Pandey and Foreign Secretary Shanker Bairagi.