New Delhi, April 16:

India’s Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated and conveyed his good wishes to CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda on his party’s victory in CA polls. Speaking to Prachanda over telephone, Mukherjee said India’s support to Nepal would remain steadfast.

“India will be on the side of the Nepali government and Nepali people in the days to come,” he said.

Meanwhile, India is said to be ready to discuss with Nepal the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty. “During PM Girija Prasad Koirala’s tenure in 2000, foreign secretaries of both the countries were directed to amend the treaty,” a senior official of the foreign ministry said, adding: “We are waiting for a proposal from Nepal.”

According to The Hindu, officials of the foreign ministry at a press meet scoffed at charges that the Maoists won the polls by intimidating people. “If people had cast votes out of fear, the Maoists would not have scored 67 per cent votes. This proves that Nepali people want significant change,” the daily said.