KATHMANDU, July 30

Senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is now on a weeklong trip to India, on Thrusday met with External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and efforts to write Nepal’s future constitution.

The former prime minister of Nepal told Swaraj that political parties were trying hard to find consensus for promulgation of the new constitution, according to Tritha Raj Wagle, political counsellor, Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi. Wagle was present during the meeting held at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan.

Deuba was confident that the parties would be able to promulgate the statute as early as possible by bringing all stakeholders on board.

According to Wagle, the Indian minister inquired about the latest developments in the constitution writing process and conveyed New Delhi’s wish to see early promulgation of the constitution.

Deuba thanked Swaraj for India’s commitment to help Nepal in the post-reconstruction efforts following the devastation of the April 25 earthquake.

Wagle told The Himalayan Times from New Delhi that early completion of all Nepal-India bilateral and joint venture development projects, including Upper Karnali Hydroelectricity project, Nijgadh Airport and Pancheshwor Multipurpose Hydro Electricity Project were discussed.

Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup shared pictures of the meeting between Deuba and Swaraj in his official twitter, which reads: “Continuing Engagement, Advancing Ties. EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets with former PM of Nepa, Mr Sher Bahadur Deuba.”

Earlier, India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar called on Deuba at Hotel Taj Mahal, where the NC leader is staying.