Nepal's ties with India witnessed steady growth in 2013 despite political instability here which persisted even after assembly elections as no party could secure an absolute majority to form the new government.
Exchanges of high-level visits helped to further enhance bilateral ties, promote cooperation and strengthen bond of friendship between the two neighbours.
Nepal experienced two major political developments in 2013 -- formation of a non-partisan government led by Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi, who replaced then senior Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai in mid-March and conducting of a free, fair and impartial election on November 19 to the Constituent Assembly.
The Nepali Congress led by Sushil Koirala emerged as the single largest party with 196 seats but could not secure an absolute majority in the 601-member assembly, prolonging the political crisis in the country.
Jhalanath Khanal-led CPN (UML) won 175 seats, followed by Prachanda's UCPN-Maoist, which was left with just 80 seats.
Efforts to form a new government have not made any headway though the Maoists, still sulking over humiliating poll defeat, agreed to join the assembly.
A total of 28 political parties that had won seats in the Constituent Assembly elections nominated their lawmakers yesterday just before the deadline.
India had extended its support to elections in Nepal and offered logistic backing for the smooth conduct of polls.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who visited Nepal in July, stressed on forging consensus and collaboration among political parties in Nepal and expressed India's strong commitment for the success of peace process and institutionalisation of democracy in the country.
Khurshid also announced to provide 764 vehicles to Nepal's Election Commission and security agencies for elections.
In the beginning of the year, Nepal's new Army Chief General Gaurav Shumsher Rana paid a week-long visit to India at the invitation of General Bikram Singh, chief of Army Staff of India.
