NEW DELHI:Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” sent a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi admitting errors in the past, reaffirming his commitment to friendship with India, promising efforts to forge an inclusive constitutional settlement and seeking closer development cooperation.
“The PM is aware that Nepal’s development is not possible without cooperation with India, and wants to convey his deep commitment to the relationship,” Prachanda’s special envoy and Nepal deputy prime minister Bimalendra Nidhi told Modi during a meeting with him on Saturday, according to a top official present at the meeting.
Modi, in return, said Nepal has a “special place” in his heart, and India would do everything possible to assist Nepal to fulfil its aspirations. He referred to Prachanda’s upcoming visit to India — tentatively scheduled for September 15 to 18 — and said he would personally welcome him.
Sources told HT the meeting was “very warm, positive, and forward-looking”.
Nidhi also met external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and home minister Rajnath Singh.
Nidhi reminded the PM of his well-received speech to the Nepali Constituent Assembly in 2014 and said, “Some of your phrases have become household phrases in Nepal... also told us to take everyone along in the constitution writing process. Our government is committed to it.”
{{/usCountry}}Nidhi reminded the PM of his well-received speech to the Nepali Constituent Assembly in 2014 and said, “Some of your phrases have become household phrases in Nepal... also told us to take everyone along in the constitution writing process. Our government is committed to it.”
{{/usCountry}}This was an apparent reference to India’s advice to Nepali political elites to take the aspirations of the country’s Madhesi community into account while writing the constitution.
The advice was disregarded and bilateral relations deteriorated. The new government, elected last month, has taken symbolic steps to reach out to the community and is planning to register a constitutional amendment before Prachanda departs for Delhi. Modi told Nidhi India fully supports all such efforts.