Modi sends Jaishankar as special envoy on the eve of constitution commencement

KATHMANDU: As the Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed the new constitution— which is awaiting its full execution from September 20— Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, as a special envoy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is landing in Kathmandu early morning tomorrow.

Indian Embassy Spokesperson Abhay Kumar confirmed that Jaishankar is meeting with top political leaders and officials of Nepal, including Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and President Ram Baran Yadav during his two-day stay.

India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae, who is now in New Delhi, will be accompanying with the Foreign Secretary, Kumar added.

PM Modi himself consulted with top government officials and aides, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Jaishankar on Nepal’s political development in New Delhi today, when Ambassador Rae had updated that the constitution was being promulgated despite reservations from Madhesi and Janajati forces and prevailing violence in Tarai districts of Nepal, political sources said.

Following the meeting, the decision of sending Jaishankar as Modi’s envoy was taken, added the source.

When asked what would be a message that Jaishankar would convey when he calls on Nepal’s political and government leadership, Spokesperson Kumar shared his unawareness. “For that,” he said, “you will have to wait until tomorrow.”