‘PM will seek India’s full acceptance of constitution’

Kathmandu, February 11

Ambassador of Nepal to India Deep Kumar Upadhayay today said Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s upcoming visit to India would focus on India’s full acceptance of Nepal’s new constitution, on which the southern neighbour had publicly expressed its discontent.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Ambassador Upadhayay also said, “This visit would basically focus on ensuring India’s full acceptance of Nepal’s new constitution and winning support for its smooth implementation.”

He further said the prime minister’s visit would also focus on ensuring that Nepali people would not have to face hardships experienced during the past five months of blockade again.

Updahayay had arrived in Kathmandu to pay tributes to late Nepali Congress president and former prime minister Sushil Koirala on Tuesday.

He also called on PM Oli and discussed preparations for the latter’s India visit. PM Oli is leaving for a five-day official visit to India starting February 19.

Besides New Delhi, preparations are under way for PM Oli’s visit to India’s financial capital Mumbai, where he is expected to address a business conclave of Indian investors and industrialists.

Ambassador Upadhayay said PM’s Mumbai trip was yet to be officially confirmed.

According to him, PM Oli would also seek Indian investment for development of infrastructures in Nepal.

While discussing his upcoming visit with Nepal’s business community at his official residence in Baluwatar earlier today, PM Oli had said his visit was aimed at removing misunderstandings and setting a ‘milestone’ in bilateral relations, according to PM’s Foreign Relations Expert Gopal Khanal.

Meanwhile, leaders of various political parties suggested to PM Oli not to sign any deal that might create controversies.

Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsing KC opined that the Prime Minister should bring on board all the political forces before taking any such decision.

“The visit has to push for sincere implementation of existing agreements and commitments between the two sides,” he said.