India has stressed the need for speedy completion of peace process and drafting of the constitution in Nepal. Talking to newsmen after meeting with Maoist Chairman Prachanda in Kathmandu Wednesday afternoon, the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said India stands for a stable, prosperous, peaceful and inclusive democracy in Nepal. Rao said she had frank, candid and transparent discussions with the Maoist Chairman Prachanda.Senior Maoist leader Barshaman Pun, who was present at the meeting told newsmen that the Maoist Chairman Prachanda informed the Foreign Secretary that his party is not anti-India but wanted review of the past agreements between the two countries in the context of changed political scenario.AIR Kathmandu Correspondent reports that the visiting Foreign Secretary had a hectic schedule meeting leaders of major political parties throughout the day on Wednesday. She met the Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deoba, CPN (UML) Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and senior leaders of Tarai based political parties.During her discussion with top leaders of Nepal's major political parties, the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary discussed the whole gamut of relations between the two countries.The Foreign Secretary enquired about the state of the peace process following the exit of the UN political mission (UNMIN) from Nepal and issues relating to army integration and drafting of the constitution.The leaders informed that after the exit of UNMIN, a special committee comprising representatives of the major political parties will take over the responsibility to push forward the peace process and promulgating the constitution within the stipulated timeframe of May end.The visiting Foreign Secretary Rao told Nepalese leaders that India wants to see peace, stability and progress in Nepal and stressed the need for all political parties in Nepal to come together to resolve the current political stalemate.
News On AIR | January 19, 2011 9:45 PM
India wants speedy completion of peace process, drafting of constitution in Nepal