Kathmandu, December 4
At a time when the government-sponsored Constitution Amendment Bill, which is primarily designed to remove Hill districts from Province 5, is fuelling a concerted movement in parts of the country, India has described the Bill as an important step to meet aspirations of the Nepali society through dialogue and constitutional processes.
In response to a question on the Bill, the official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swarup, reportedly said during a press briefing that all sides would remain closely engaged and the ongoing efforts would be concluded successfully. Issuing a press release, the Embassy of India in Nepal quoted Swarup as saying that peace, stability and progress of Nepal is in the interest of both India and Nepal.
Describing India as a ‘close and friendly neighbour of Nepal’, the press release quoted Swarup as saying that India will continue to extend all support for Nepal’s peace, stability and accelerated economic development in accordance with the priorities of the people and government of Nepal.
On Saturday, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Ranjit Rae, had invited Madheshi Morcha leaders to a lunch at the EoI. He had suggested Morcha leaders to support the Bill that the government of Nepal has registered in the Parliament.
Subsequently, Rae met Prime Minister Prachanda. According to a source, Rae told Prachanda during the meeting that Morcha has promised to help secure a two-third majority (even without CPN-UML’s support) that the Bill will require to sail through the Parliament, a source said.
