Prachanda meets Modi

Former Nepal Prime Minister Pushp Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the bilateral relations and issues related to that country came up for discussion.
Prachanda, the leader of CPN-Maoist who had led a decade- long armed movement in Nepal before joining mainstream politics about eight years ago, is here on a seven-day visit since July 14.
An India-baiter for years, he had last met Modi in Kathmandu during the Prime Minister's visit there in August last year.
After that meeting, he had expressed confidence that a "new chapter" has begun in Indo-Nepal ties as he found Modi "very clear" in his mind about supporting the ongoing peace process and economic progress there.

The 61-year-old leader had quit the post of Prime Minister a few years ago following a controversy over sacking of the army chief.
During his ongoing visit here, Prachanda has also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to the massive reconstruction efforts in Nepal, which was recently devastated by an earthquake.

Last month, India had pledged USD one billion in assistance to Nepal for its reconstruction programme which is over and above India's existing developmental assistance of another USD one billion over the next five years.
Issues relating to Nepal's Constitution also figured in the meeting between Prachanda and Swaraj.

India has been pushing for early finalisation of the Constitution, which the political parties of Nepal have been struggling for years to complete.