Constitutional amendment an internal issue: Nepal

Nepal's ties with India had strained after a months-long border blockade last year by ethnic minority protesters over the new Constitution

Ahead of Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's visit to India, Nepal on Tuesday made it clear that the issue of Constitution amendment was an internal matter even as it said that both countries need to "introspect" on past issues like the "blockade".

Visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat also assured full cooperation to India on security issues and said Nepal will not allow its soil to be used against India.

He said all bilateral problems need to be conveyed only through diplomatic channels.

Mahat stressed that Nepal wants to see tangible results on ground and for this faster implementation of Indian projects was necessary besides complete market access.

"I think the coming visit of Nepalese Prime Minister will be very fruitful and we will start a new chapter of our relationship," Mahat said speaking to reporters here before leaving for Nepal.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as 'Prachanda' is coming here on a four-day visit this week, in his first overseas trip after taking over office last month.

Nepal's ties with India had strained after a months-long border blockade last year by the ethnic minority protesters over the new Constitution, which they claim is discriminatory to their interest. The Oli government had accused India of imposing an "unofficial blockade" on the landlocked nation to support the Madhesi demand of more political representation.

"Our Constitution is basically very inclusive but of course there is scope for improvement as there is no Constitution in the world which is perfect," he said.

Admitting that there are "some grievances", he said the new government is working on it.

"We have had several round of discussions with various stakeholders. We are taking it very seriously but it is a subject which the Nepal parliament, Nepal government and Nepal people will decide. It is our internal process. Whatever is good for Nepalese, we will decide.

"Whatever change that needs to be amended is completely internal Nepali process and based on demand and aspiration of the people of Nepal, we will keep on improving our Constitution," he said.

Asked about the new government's expectation from India, the Foreign Minister said he would rather talk about building relationships based on trust, friendship and cooperation.

"That is what this visit is all about," he said noting that besides his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, he met with Water Minister Uma Bharati, Power Minister Piyush Goyal. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, BJP leader Ram Madhav and Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi.