PM Modi, Prachanda hold talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide ranging talks with his Nepalese counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on key issues including the political process in the Himalayan nation and ways to strengthen ties.

Prachanda, who arrived here on Thursday on a four-day visit, was earlier given a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of relations during delegation level talks at Hyderabad House here, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on Prachanda, who was elected as premier for the second time last month, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"Infusing fresh energy into a special relationship. PM @narendramodi receives Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda," Swarup tweeted, along with a picture of the leaders shaking hands.

On Thursday, the government said that Nepal's Constitution making process was an "internal issue" which the Nepalese citizens will decide and that India has never been "prescriptive".

Addressing the Nepalese diaspora at an event, Prachanda said the top focus of the new dispensation led by him was to create the "right atmosphere" before the implementation of the Constitution and pave the way for necessary amendments.

"Till the time we don't take the Tharus, Madhesis and janjatis into confidence and address their legitimate demands, the atmosphere cannot be created for implementation of the new Constitution," he had said.