UK defends its donor agencies in Nepal

"There has been accusation in media that we have been stirring ethnic conflict through our support," UK Minister for International Development Alan Duncan, who met top leaders of Nepal, including Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, said.

"I am proud of our work which is helping to implement the government of Nepal's own commitment on inclusion."

He defended the British support to the indigenous nationalities and work on inclusion, saying this helped Nepal implement the government's own commitment to the cause.

The UK minister's remarks come at a time when Nepal's much awaited constitution drafting process failed on May 27 mainly due to disagreement among political parties over the issue adopting an ethnicity based federal model and there are reports in media that Western donor agencies are fuelling the debate.

Duncan also made it clear that it was not his intention to meddle in Nepal's political processes. He expressed UK government's continued support to the ongoing peace process of Nepal.

"We share the Nepalese people's commitment to find a peaceful and early solution to the political situation so that the country can finally move on from its legacy of conflict towards a time of peace and prosperity for everyone."

He said, "We support Nepal, we encourage you to find a solution which will provide the country with political stability and we will continue to provide diplomatic and development support."