Multi-party group to visit Nepal soon

A top Indian political delegation comprising leaders from four major parties is set to meet the newly-elected government in Nepal later this week. Nepal is now run by Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai. Saubhadra Chatterji and Jayanth Jacob report.

A top Indian political delegation comprising leaders from four major parties is set to meet the newly-elected government in Nepal later this week. Nepal is now run by Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai.

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This will be the first interaction between politicians of the two neighbouring countries after the Bhattarai government was sworn in last month.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury and former BJP chief Rajnath Singh have been invited to visit Nepal on Saturday.

All these leaders maintain close ties with Nepal's political parties. Yechury, particularly, had been a key interlocutor for the Indian government with Nepal. He also played a major role in bringing the outlawed Maoists led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) in the political mainstream.

While New Delhi experienced a stiff relation with Prachanda's regime, the UPA government is expecting strengthening of ties with the Bhattarai government. The UCPN (Maoist) government also enjoys support of the alliance of five Madhesi parties, which maintains good relations with many Indian leaders.

With political stability coming to Nepal, New Delhi hopes that the new political leadership of Nepal will address all outstanding issues, including Nepal's constitution-making process in a peaceful manner.