PM Modi places emphasis on constitution during meeting with Nepali political leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met the top political leaders of Nepal, including delegations of different parties of the federal democratic republic, placing emphasis on the creation of a constitution that 'everybody can own'.

"The Prime Minister, in all his meetings, acknowledged the parties in Nepal in all progress between India and Nepal. Much of his emphasis with different Nepali leaders was on making a constitution that everyone can own," Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told the media.

Akbaruddin also shared the issues touched upon by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the day's South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) ministerial meeting.

"Connectivity, culture and commerce were prime themes in the ministerial SAARC meeting in the morning. The issue of terrorism was also raised," the MEA spokesperson said.

Stating that three memorandums of understandings (MoUs) on sister city arrangements have been signed between the two countries, Akbaruddin further said that the Prime Minister has announced the lifting of restrictions on taking Indian currency notes of denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to Nepal.

Earlier today, India and Nepal signed a number of MoUs and agreements, including on tourism, youth exchange and a motor vehicle agreement. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala.

Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the trauma centre at Kathmandu's Bir Hospital and flagged off the New Delhi-Kathmandu bus service.

The Prime Minister was given a warm welcome on his arrival in Kathmandu. He was given a guard of honour and a group of girls presented a cultural performance for him.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with South Asian heads of state and government on the margins of the two-day SAARC Summit.

The Prime Minister's high-level delegation at the summit includes External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and a number of senior officials.