Sushma calls Nepal PM, discusses political matters

India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke over telephone with Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Wednesday and Thursday and discussed the present status along the international border, and political initiatives taken by the government to address the demands of agitating parties.

Officials said the talks were "very positive", and Oli apprised Sushma Swaraj about the political roadmap undertaken by the government to address the demands of the agitating Madhes-based political parties.

Sushma Swaraj made a call on Wednesday after her meeting with Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa in New Delhi.

In the telephonic talks, Oli said his government was ready to address the demands of the agitating parties and it will take around three months for the negotiations, including over the controversy over federal units.

Oli told his aides that a high-level political committee will sort out the row over demarcation of the federal units, and amendment in the constitution will move forward immediately in consultation with Madhesi parties, an aide said.

After her meeting with Thapa, Sushma Swaraj sought high-level political assurance at the prime minister's level so that normalcy returns in Nepal as soon as possible.

On Thursday, during a meeting of three major political parties, Sushma Swaraj made a call to Oli, who assured her that the government and main opposition Nepali Congress were committed to seek a political solution to the standoff.

During the meeting, Oli briefed the political leadership about his conversation with Sushma Swaraj.