India welcomes steps taken by Nepal govt to address pol issues

NEW DELHI: Nepal today informed India that some important decisions have been taken to resolve demands raised by agitating Madhes-based parties regarding the Constitution which was welcomed by the government here.

In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said as a neighbour and well-wisher, India was deeply concerned over the unrest stemming from internal differences in Nepal on the Constitution.

It also urged Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find solution to the Constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe.

"External Affairs Minister was informed by Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa today that the Nepalese Cabinet has taken some important decisions to address and resolve demands regarding the Constitution raised by agitating Madhes-based parties," MEA said.

These decisions include amendments to the Constitution on participation in the state organs on the basis of proportionate inclusiveness and delineation of electoral constituencies on the basis of population, it said.

The demarcation of provinces is also to be addressed through an appropriate arrangement in the Constitution on the basis of political consensus. Similarly, others demands including citizenship are to be resolved through negotiations and consensus.

"Government of India welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal. As a neighbour and well-wisher, India was deeply concerned at the unrest stemming from internal differences in Nepal on the Constitution.

"We urge all Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the Constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe.

"We are confident that a return to normalcy in Nepal would create a more secure and predictable climate for unimpeded commerce between our two countries," it said.