India optimistic about Nepal Govt.'s addressing Madhesis' demands: Jaishankar to Oli

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Tuesday said India is optimistic about the incumbent Nepal Government's addressing the "genuine" demands of the agitating Madhesis.

During a meeting with Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, Jaishankar told him that India is willing to implement bilateral projects.

According to Prime Minister Oli's foreign affairs' advisor Gopal Khanal, the Nepalese Prime Minister told the Foreign Secretary that he was confident that Nepal would not face another round of blockade, and that India would continue its support for the economic development of the country.

Prime Minister Oli also stressed that his government was ready to conclude all the issues related to Madhesis and delineation of the federal states.

Meanwhile, leaders of Madhesi parties met Jaishankar at Dwarika Hotel around 9:30 a.m here. During the meeting, leader of the Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party Sarvendra Nath Shukla accused the Nepal Government of not addressing the demands of the Madhesi agitators.

"'If our demands remain unaddressed, we will soon launch another round of agitation," Madhesi leaders reportedly told Jaishankar.

In response, Jaishankar assured them that he would discuss the issue with the leaders of major parties of Nepal.

The meeting was attended by senior leader of Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal Ashok Rai, Chairman of Tarai Madhes Sadbhawana Party Mahendra Yadav, leader of Sadbhawana Party, Laxman Lal Karna, Chairman of Nepal Sadbhawana Party Anil Jha and Chairman of Forum Ganatantrik, Raj Kishowr Yadav among others.

The Foreign Secretary is in Nepal to attend the Foreign Ministerial meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) which kicked off on Monday.