India welcomes Nepal’s amended constitution

Kathmandu, February 22

External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj said India welcomed Nepal’s new constitution following its amendment on January 23.

During a talk programme, in which Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was the chief guest and which was attended by a host of Indian diplomats, at the Indian Council of World Affairs in New Delhi today, she also extended best wishes for successful implementation of the constitution, according to prime minister’s Press Adviser Pramod Dahal.

When the constitution was promulgated on September 20, India had refrained from welcoming it and had merely ‘noted’ it.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on Saturday that Nepal’s constitution was a ‘significant achievement’ in Nepal’s democratic struggle following his bilateral talks with Nepal’s PM.

Swaraj added that since most of the demands raised by the agitating Madhesi parties had already been addressed through the constitutional amendment, remaining issues would also be resolved through dialogue among the stakeholders.

Swaraj also extended her best wishes to PM Oli on his 64th birthday.

Swaraj said PM Oli was her younger brother, as she was born eight days before him, and urged him to accept ‘best wishes from his elder sister’.

She said India was Nepal’s elder brother, not a big brother. According to her, ‘big brother’ has a bullying attitude but India was caring and kind towards Nepal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent bouquets to PM Oli wishing him a happy birthday.

State Minister for Ministry of AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, on behalf of PM Modi, called on PM Oli with the bouquets, according to Dahal.