Kathmandu, September 16

Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey today expressed confidence that the international community will univocally hail the new constitution, which is being promulgated on September 20.

Briefing about the final stages of promulgation of charter to all ambassadors and heads of foreign missions based in Kathmandu, Pandey assured them that the ongoing violence in parts of Tarai would end through dialogue as the genuine concerns of Madhesis and Janajatis would be addressed.

“We are fully confident that our neighbours, development partners and well-wishers … are with us at this historic juncture of our political transformation,” Pandey said.

Ambassador and Heads of Mission some 30 diplomatic missions, including of India, China, the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan and Russia were present during the briefing.

The envoys wished for smooth implementation to ensure peace, stability and prosperity of Nepal, and also stated the need to address the concerns of all sides, including those who are against it, said an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), who was present during the briefing.

Pandey cautioned the envoys about the ulterior motives of those who were staging violent activities in the Tarai. “We must bear in mind that there are always elements that seek to fish in troubled waters and portray the situation without reflecting ground realities,” he added.

Saying that the state has not excluded or barred any Nepali from expressing their voice during this entire statute making process, he said the government was “open to engaging in constructive dialogue” to find amicable solutions to the current problems.

The Foreign Minister, however, made it clear that any further postponement of the constitution voting process was not desirable as it was not a way forward after the series of calls for dialogue were rejected by the agitating forces.

He underscored that any further delay would only create confusion and frustration among all Nepalis, who were desperate for the constitution.

On the concerns of some envoys, whether there were chances that issues of agitating Madhesis and Janajatis could be accommodated after promulgation of the statute, Pandey reiterated that the provision of a Federal Commission in the document would make it possible, according to a MoFA official.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, Pandey said he told the envoys that the constitution was getting more and more support internally as well as externally. He also added that criminal elements that were active in the guise of protesters in Tarai districts had become ineffective and more and more political parties were supporting the document.