India and Nepal on Friday discussed the controversial issues concerning the amendment of Nepal’s newly promulgated Constitution that had threatened to disrupt bilateral ties between both neighbours last year.
While the Indian side preferred to downplay the issue of asking Nepal to make its Constitution more inclusive, sources told BusinessLine that it dominated the talks between both leaders and India has asked Nepal to address the main demands of the Madhesis.
“Obviously this (constitutional amendment) was an issue that came up in the conversation. But, it was a conversation,” Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar told reporters.
Meanwhile, after the bilateral talks, addressing the joint press conference with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “You have been a catalytic force of peace in Nepal. I am confident that under your wise leadership, Nepal will successfully implement the Constitution through inclusive dialogue accommodating the aspirations of all sections of your diverse society. I wish you every success in this endeavour.”
Prachanda’s visit comes within seven months of the visit of their former Prime Minister KP Oli, who was largely seen in India as upsetting the ties between both the countries even as he faced massive agitation from the local Indian-origin Madhesis in inhabiting in Nepal’s terai region.
Oli had visited India in February following a massive protest by the Madhesis that claimed more than 40 lives and had shut down the Indo-Nepal border for almost two months. Prachanda succeeded Oli with a tacit understanding that the issue will be resolved.
Sources also said, Nepal Prime Minister has also given an “assurance” that he will put an end to the Madhesi issue in time bound manner. This follows the discussions that were held between their Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Agreements signedIndia and Nepal also signed three agreements on Friday, which included a commitment of $750 million line of credit post-earthquake reconstruction projects in the Himalayan region.
According to Jaishankar, a substantial portion of the talks was also devoted to improving connectivity for movement of goods. Nepal also raised the issue of trade deficit with India.
India and Nepal also signed a pact to improve the road infrastructure in the Terai area.
Prachanda also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Power Minister Piyush Goyal. On Saturday, he will be meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh.