India pitched for forging of the "broadest possible consensus" by Nepal in implementing its new Constitution and appreciated the Sher Bahadur Deuba government's efforts to take every section along.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba, stressed that Nepal's success in overcoming obstacles will lead to growth and stability in the Himalayan nation, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said.
Deuba arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit.
Jaishankar said India would like to see stability, democracy and economic prosperity in Nepal and the prime minister shared the same with Deuba, who had an unscheduled meeting with Modi within hours of his arrival yesterday.
"The PM of Nepal shared with us that he has been making efforts in this direction in bringing consensus.... The two prime ministers were of the view that democratic institutions are indispensable," Jaishankar said.
On August 21, Nepal's parliament had failed to endorse the much-awaited Constitution amendment bill to address the grievances of Madhesis as the ruling coalition could not garner a two-thirds majority required for its passage.
Madhesis, who are of Indian descent, want more representation in Parliament and redrawing of provincial boundaries.
On post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, Jaishankar said India has committed to help Nepal build around 50,000 houses and that 167 projects in health sector and 20 projects in the cultural sphere have been identified for the purpose of assistance.
India also expressed concern over floods in Nepal and announced an assistance of Rs 25 crore.
On the open border that the two countries share, there was a recognition that it should not create security problems and that vigilance needs to be maintained to prevent its misuse.
The Indian side also reaffirmed its commitment to train and ensure capability building of security forces in Nepal, Jaishankar said.
"The PM also welcomed the successful conduct of local polls in Nepal and appreciated efforts of the Nepalese government to take all communities on board in implementation of the Constitution saying these are important for making Nepal a federal democratic republic," Jaishankar said.
Apart from the issues relating to the Constitution and security, the two sides also reviewed the implementation of a number of railway projects, he said.
The development of a dry port and the possibility of setting up a Special Economic Zone at the Indo-Nepal border also came up during the meeting.
"The petro pipeline project between Motihari and Amlekhganj was discussed. The PM assured that India will move fast on the project," he said.
