India concerned, stresses on dialogue to resolve differences over new Nepal Constitution
KATHMANDU: Extending best wishes to the people of Nepal after the promulgation of Nepal's Constitution, the Government of India on Sunday expressed its concerns over the existing differences among the political forces over the new charter and ongoing violence in the southern plains bordering India.
Issuing a statement this evening, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that India has supported a federal, democratic, republican and inclusive constitution throughout the process of constitution-making in Nepal.
"We note the promulgation in Nepal today of a Constitution," it said.
The statement, however, said India is concerned that the situation in several parts of the country bordering India continues to be violent. "Our Ambassador in Kathmandu has spoken to the Prime Minister of Nepal in this regard."
More than 40 people, including protesters, security personnel and members of general public, have been killed in the Tarai districts during violent protests against the new constitution and purported number and boundaries of the federal units since mid-August.
The Indian MEA urged the stakeholders in Nepal to resolve the issues through dialogue in order to make the new charter widely accepted.
"We urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation, and institutionalised in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance."
"This would lay the foundation of harmony, progress and development in Nepal."
Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had visited Nepal as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the eve of the promulgation of new constitution.
During his 24-hour stay in Kathmandu, he had met President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and top leaders of major parties as well as Madhesi parties.
In his departure statement yesterday, Jaishankar had said, "India has been strongly supportive of constitution making in Nepal. We would like its completion to be an occasion for joy and satisfaction, not agitation and violence."
"We hope that Nepal's political leaders will display the necessary flexibility and maturity at this crucial time to ensure a durable and resilient Constitution that has broad-based acceptance."
