India visit, Constitution amendment plan two separate issues: Dahal

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday said that his India visit beginning tomorrow and government's Constitution amendment plan were not interlinked but two separate issues.

Prior to his four-day India visit, he held meeting with leaders of the United Democratic Madhesi Front and the Federal Alliance and said the plan to amend the Constitution was solely an internal affair.

The Himalayan Times quoted Dahal's Secretariat statement in which he said, "We should find a solution on it (Constitution implementation) after holding discussions at the political level.(But), India visit is a diplomatic issue to strengthen the bilateral ties."

"It is very important that we should be clear there is no interconnection between Constitution amendment and India visit," Dahal added.

Dahal will embark his three-day India visit from September 15-18, at the invitation Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Dahal's visit to India is the first bilateral visit abroad after assuming office for the second time on August 4.

He would hold talks with Prime Minister Modi on September 16 and would call on President Pranab Mukherjee and other Indian ministers.

His visit to India will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern, as well as seek ways to strengthen the age old, close and friendly ties between the two countries in diverse sectors.