India appreciates Nepal's efforts to take all communities

India today pitched for forging of the "broadest possible consensus" by Nepal in implementing its new Constitution and appreciated the Sher Bahadur Deuba government's efforts to take every section along in making the Himalayan country a federal democratic nation in real sense.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in talks with his Nepalese counterpart Deuba, stressed that Nepal's success in overcoming obstacles will lead to growth and stability in the Himalayan nation, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.
"Our position as you know has been that it's important to have the broadest possible consensus in carrying all sections of the society on the constitution making and its implementation process," he told reporters.

He said India's thinks success of Nepal will lead to the progress and growth of the country. "So it is good wishes of a very well meaning neighbour."
The Nepal prime minister shared with India his government's efforts to making political consensus to fulfil aspirations of all sections in implementing the Constitution.
Deuba arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit.

Jaishankar said India would like to see stability, democracy and economic prosperity in Nepal and the prime minister shared the same with Deuba, who had an unscheduled meeting with Modi within hours of his arrival yesterday.
"The PM of Nepal shared with us that he has been making efforts in this direction in bringing consensus... The two prime ministers were of the view that democratic institutions are indispensable," Jaishankar said.

On August 21, Nepal's Parliament had failed to endorse the much-awaited Constitution amendment bill to address the grievances of Madhesis as the ruling coalition could not garner a two-thirds majority required for its passage.
Madhesis, who are of Indian descent, want more representation in Parliament and redrawing of provincial boundaries.
On post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, Jaishankar said India has committed to help Nepal build around 50,000 houses and that 167 projects in health sector and 20 projects in the cultural sphere have been identified for the purpose of assistance.
India also expressed concern over floods in Nepal and announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore.

On the open border that the two countries share, there was a recognition that it should not create security problems and that vigilance needs to be maintained to prevent its misuse.
The Indian side also reaffirmed its commitment to train and ensure capability building of security forces in Nepal, Jaishankar said.
"The PM also welcomed the successful conduct of local polls in Nepal and appreciated efforts of the Nepalese government to take all communities on board in implementation of the Constitution saying these are important for making Nepal a federal democratic republic," Jaishankar said.
Apart from the issues relating to the Constitution and security, the two sides also reviewed the implementation of a number of railway projects, he said.

The development of a dry port and the possibility of setting up a Special Economic Zone at the Indo-Nepal border also came up during the meeting.
An array of possible infrastructure projects were also discussed during talks between the two sides. The Pancheswar project which aims to generate around 5,000 MW of power also figured in talks.
"It is a mammoth project," said Jaishankar.
Both sides discussed speedy implementation of a raft of connectivity projects with India assuring the Nepalese side of its full cooperation in their early roll out.
"The petro pipeline project between Motihari and Amlekhganj was discussed. The PM assured that India will move fast on the project," he said.

Jaishankar said India has speeded up implementation of the road project in Terai region and contract for "12 packages" has been already awarded.