Kathmandu, November 14

Nepal’s constitutional and post-quake recovery issues figured in an India-UK joint statement following a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron in London on Friday.

The statement made a reference to India-Nepal ties at a time when the bilateral relations between Nepal and India soured following India’s reluctance to welcome Nepali constitution.

“The two prime ministers stressed the importance of a lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal that will address the remaining areas of concern and promote political stability and economic growth,” read the statement.

The two leaders’ dismay over the delay in carrying out post-quake reconstruction work can also be sensed in their joint communiqué. “They hoped that the National Reconstruction Authority begins to function as soon as possible to facilitate post-earthquake reconstruction,” the statement read further.

The India and UK also decided to deepen their cooperation in the region by holding a new annual senior official dialogue on South Asia, including maritime issues. The Indian Prime Minister was on a UK visit from November 12 to 14.

Meanwhile, reportedly ‘surprised’ by the presence of Nepali protesters in London, the Indian Prime Minister’s Office has sought a report on the scale of the protests and their influence in British society.

Dozens of Nepalis living in London and other parts of the UK on Thursday had protested the visit of Modi to London, accusing the latter of imposing an unofficial blockade against Nepal.

Following the protests, the Indian PMO directed the London-based Indian High Commission to measure a size of the protests, the Indian Express daily wrote on Saturday.

“They were within audible distance from where Modi and British PM Cameron were garlanding a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at London square,” the newspaper wrote, “National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was seen trying to gauge the protesters, who shouted “Back Off India” and held placards saying “remove blockade.”

“While protesters on Gujarat riots and Sikh groups were expected, what surprised us were Nepali protesters. The High Commission will send a report,” the Indian Express quoted its source as saying.

The protesters clad in traditional Nepali dresses including the Dhaka Topi resorted to street protests, holding Nepali national flags and placards with anti-India and anti-Modi messages and slogans. They accused India of imposing a blockade on Nepal to express its dissatisfaction over the newly promulgated Constitution.

They claimed it was against Nepal’s transport rights as a land-locked nation and related international trade laws and treaties.They had gathered in front of the British Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street from the early afternoon.

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