Nepal’s immediate neighbour India has advised Nepal’s political leaders to make the constitution drafting process as inclusive as possible by also including disgruntled Madhesh based political parties.

India’s secretary for external affairs S Jayashakar who is in Kathmandu as ‘special envoy’ of Prime Minister Narendra Bhai Modi while expressed happiness that Nepali leaders have succeeded in concluding the constitution drafting process advised them to use remaining two days time before formally unveiling the constitution, to garner consensus with the Madhesi parties to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in the country.

Jayashankar on Thursday met with President Ram Baran who is not happy with the three major parties for obvious reasons, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Chairman KP Sharma Oli of United Marxist Leninist, Unified Maoists Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the leaders of disgruntled Madhesi parties.

The Madhesi leaders were jointly summoned at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. A luncheon was served in the honour of Madhesi parties.

Laxman Lal Karna of Sadvawana Party who was also a part of the Madhesi delegation told the media, “We conveyed our dissatisfaction over the ongoing constitution drafting process in Nepal to the Indian Secretary. The horrific situation prevailing in Madhesh and repression carried out by the state in Madhesh were also conveyed to him.”

The meeting with the Madhesi leaders lasted for over an hour and half.

Also present in the meeting were chairman Mahanta Thakur of Tarai Madhesh Loktantrik Party, Chairman Upendra Yadav of Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal and Chairman Mahendra Rai Yadav of Tarai Madhesh Sadvawana Party.

The Kantipur Online referring to an unnamed official says, “Indian secretary had in an indirect manner expressed support to the ongoing agitation in Madhesh.”

This he reiterated in his meeting with President Ram Baran. Jayashankar held talks with President Ram Baran for an hour.

The Indian delegation headed by Secretary Jayashankr also comprised of Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjeet Rae, Charge d’Affaires of Indian Embassy Binay Kumar and Head of Nepal desk at Ministy of External Affairs New Delhi Abhay Thakur.

Chairman Mahendra Rai Yadav of Tarai Madhesh Sadvawana Party told veteran journalist Rishi Dhamala after the meeting that the Indian Foreign Secretary told the Madhesi leaders that India fully supports the ongoing Madhesi agitation.

“You can continue with the agitation…India’s goodwill and support are with you,” Yadav quoted Jayashankar as saying.

PS: Unconfirmed reports have it that the Prime Minister in waiting, Chairman KP Oli has assured that he will allow Indian Commandoes to remaain inside the TIA.Thus India is with all in Nepal. 

@telegraph