By NNN-PTI,
Kathmandu, Nepal : India today told Nepal that it had “no objection” to a peace process in the Himalayan country that was of “Nepalese origin and orientation”.
Favouring building of political consensus for drafting the country’s first-ever Constitution, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, said all political parties should be involved in the framing of the document.
Mukherjee, the first high-level Indian leader to visit the land-locked country after its recent transition to democracy, held a “very productive” meeting with Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda today during which issues of bilateral concern, including repair of the Kosi embankment and maintenance of the East West highway figured.
“We have no objection in a peace process that has Nepalese origin and orientation,” Special Adviser to Nepal Prime Minister Hira Bahadur Thapa quoted Mukherjee as telling Prachanda.
Thapa also said that the major issue of review of the Indo-Nepal Trade and Transit Treaty of 1950 did not figure in talks on the second day of Mukherjee’s three-day visit.
Steering clear of any direct involvement, Mukherjee impressed upon Prachanda the need for building consensus among political parties in framing the new Constitution.
Mukherjee’s visit comes as the ruling Maoists are in the midst of a crucial debate regarding the future political system in the country — whether to continue with multi-party system or opt for a single party Communist rule.