India promises all help to Nepal for drafting of Constitution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today underlined the need to accomplish the task of drafting Nepal's Constitution within a year and assured all help to the country for this purpose.
Modi, the first Indian premier to visit Nepal in 17 years, today called on Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav who hosted a luncheon in his honour at the Rastrapati Bhawan.
He held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, and also met Parliament Speaker Subhash Chandra Nemwang and many important political leaders.
Nepali Congress Vice president Ramchandra Poudyal, senior leader and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML chairman Jhalanath Khanal, general secretary of the party Ishwor Pokharel, UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda, senior leader of the party Baburam Bhattarai and Sadbhawana Party president Rajendra Mahato were among the leaders who met Modi.

Leaders of major political parties in talks with Modi expressed commitment to promulgate a democratic constitution within a year and sought to increase India's cooperation for Nepal's economic prosperity and development in future.
Modi extended support to Nepalese political leaders in their endeavour to institutionalise the federal, democratic, republic structure of the polity by timely promulgation of the constitution.

"We will not interfere in your internal matters, but we are ready to extend all necessary helps to bring the constitution on time and to assist for expediting economic and development works," Modi assured them.
Nepalese Prime Minister Koirala said that Nepal has focused its attention on drafting a new constitution through the Constituent Assembly, that will lead the country to greater stability and prosperity.

"Prime Minister Modi conveyed best wishes of India to Nepal for their resolve and commitment to promulgate the new constitution early next year," said a joint statement issued on the conclusion of the visit.
Modi yesterday gifted a book 'Samvidhan -- The making of the Constitution of India' to the Chairman of Nepal's Constituent Assembly Nemwang.
Nepal plunged into a constitutional crisis after the Constituent Assembly was dissolved without promulgating the Constitution in 2012.
Political infighting, including a split in the Maoist party last year, confounded efforts to implement a peace plan meant to rebuild Nepal after a 10-year civil war.

"During the talks between Modi and Nepali Congress, we agreed to take the relations between the two countries to a political level, to cooperate and work jointly for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries," said Nepali Congress vice-chairman Poudyal.
"We are very much encouraged by the visit paid by Prime Minister Modi to Nepal," he said.