PM Narendra Modi calls Nepal PM Sushil Koirala, offers security assistance

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday telephoned his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala and offered assistance to safeguard security in the Himalayan country which is in the grip of violence over demand of creation of a new state.

The PM counselled restraint and suggested that Koirala government resolve all outstanding issues through the widest possible consultation to accommodate aspirations of all sections of society.

The remarks came less than 24 hours after violence broke out in the western district of Kailali and nine people were killed. The PM expressed sorrow at the loss of lives and said "political and social instability would seriously compound the tragedy caused by the recent earthquake in Nepal", according to a statement issued by the external affairs ministry.

Modi attaches top priority to Nepal and visited Kathmandu twice last year besides reaching out the neighbouring country within hours of the earthquake in April last year.

Nepal has not witnessed political violence of this scale since the Maoist-led civil war ended in 2006. The Koirala government on Monday decided to deploy the army to help authorities restore order in various districts.

Nepal’s political leadership "should resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue between all political parties and through the process of widest possible consultation, including with the public", Modi said.

This will strengthen trust and confidence "across and between all sections of society" and lead to solutions that "reflect the will and accommodate the aspirations of all citizens of a richly diverse society within a united, peaceful, stable and prosperous Nepal", the PM said.

Experts said the remarks were aimed at Madhesis, who live in the plains of Nepal and feel sidelined in the politics dominated by the people living in the hills. The Madhesis view the deal on new states as a way of postponing the concept of federalism. The violence was triggered by the protests in the plains of Nepal.

Modi appealed to the Koirala-led government, all political parties and the people of Nepal to "eschew violence and maintain social harmony", the statement said. "India wishes to see the emergence of a peaceful, secure, stable, democratic and prosperous Nepal, which draws strength from its rich social diversity, enormous resources and extraordinary talent," he said.

The PM assured Nepal that India will continue to provide support to the country in accordance with the wishes and priorities of the people to achieve this goal.

Modi also lauded the progress that Nepal has made in its peace process and in drafting its constitution.