Shows India is reviewing course, and that may improve situation: Pradeep Gyawali
KATHMANDU, Dec 22: In a major development in efforts to end the months-long deadlock, the Indian government has welcomed the Nepal government's latest decision to address the demands of the agitating Madhes-based political parties.
An emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday endorsed a three-point political roadmap, which was earlier agreed upon among the major political parties.
"Government of India welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal," reads a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India on Monday.
The Indian side has urged "all political forces in Nepal to demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe".
In the roadmap, the government has decided to move forward the constitution amdnement bill that includes a provision ensuring proportional inclusive representation in state organs and commits to delimiting electoral constituencies on the basis of population. The amendment also states that there shall be at least one electoral constituency in each of the existing 75 districts.
"The demarcation of provinces is also to be addressed through an appropriate arrangement in the constitution on the basis of political consensus. Similarly, other demands including [on] citizenship are to be resolved through negotiations and consensus," the Indian ministry in its statement said about the decision taken by the government of Nepal.
The Indian ministry, however, still hasn't explicitly indicated immediate resumption of smooth supply of goods from the southern neighbor. It said the Indian side is confident that a return to normalcy in Nepal would create a more secure and predictable climate for unimpeded commerce between the two countries.
The unofficial blockade by India has caused acute shortages of fuels, medicines and other essential goods and Nepal's industries and other businesses have incurred huge losses during the last three months.
The Indian statement came after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa on Monday informed External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj that Nepal's council of ministers has taken some important decisions to address and resolve demands regarding the constitution raised by the agitating Madhes-based parties.
Before that, Thapa and others at the top political leadership held several rounds of informal exchanges with the Indian leadership in recent days.
The three-point roadmap was finalized only after both sides held several rounds of exchanges on the proposals.
Thapa, when he was on a visit to the United Kingdom last week, held a telephonic conversation with Swaraj before returning home.
Thapa, during his second visit to New Delhi earlier this month, had reportedly conveyed the same proposal based on understanding among the major political forces in Kathmandu to the Indian leadership.
Meanwhile, Thapa tweeted, "I have taken India's Statement on Nepal today as encouraging and positive towards ending the current crisis."
Pradeep Gyawali, secretary of the ruling CPN-UML, described the latest turn of events as India's move to review the policy it adopted following promulgation of the new constitution.
"We had been suggesting to the Indian side to review their latest policy. It seems that they have now taken that same course and I hope this will create a strong ground for improving the situation," Gyawali told Republica.
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