Resolve provincial boundaries row within six months, suggests India
Resolve provincial boundaries row within six months, suggests India
Published: 04:02 am Dec 04, 2015
Kathmandu, December 3 India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today phoned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to discuss ways to resolve political crisis facing Nepal that has led to disruption of essential supplies across the Nepal-India border. READ ALSO
According to highly-placed sources, Swaraj told Oli that for an amicable resolution of the crisis the new constitution should be amended to address Madhesi parties’ concerns as suggested by Sushil Koirala-led Cabinet and the boundaries of the federal provinces should be redrawn within six months. It is learnt that Swaraj also told Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa about India’s stance on how to resolve the crisis facing Nepal. She telephoned PM Oli with Indian PM Narendra Modi’s consent immediately after DPM Thapa left New Delhi for Nepal earlier today. Speaking at India’s Upper House today, Swaraj expressed concern about delay in tabling the bill on two important constitutional amendments approved by the Koirala government to meet Madhesis’ demands. According to the source, PM Oli responded positively on Swaraj’s proposals. He told her that Nepal government was ready to amend the constitution to address genuine issues of Madhesi parties and shared that parties would consider redrawing the federal boundaries, if need be. PM Oli suggested that the issue of delineation of the boundaries can be resolved through an all-party mechanism or a parliamentary mechanism, added the sources close to the prime minister. After landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, Thapa, who had been in India since Monday, said his India visit was fruitful and he was hopeful of a positive result. “The relationship between the two countries will be strengthened and signs of improvement in the current situation will be visible in a few days,” he told mediapersons.