EU-India call for 'lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement' in Nepal

EU towing the Indian line vis-à-vis Nepal’s constitution!
KATHMANDU, March 31: The European Union and India have pointed out the need for a 'lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement' in Nepal. Issuing a joint statement following the conclusion of the 13th EU-India Summit in Brussels last night, the EU and India said that they see the need to address the remaining constitutional issues. By calling for the constitutional settlement, the EU has also echoed the Indian line to address the constitutional amendments as favored by the latter.

Though the EU has already welcomed the promulgation of new constitution of Nepal, India had issued a statement saying that it had 'noted' the promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal. The ensuing unofficial economic blockade after the promulgation of the new constitution was interpreted as India's displeasure over Nepal's new constitution.

"The promulgation of Nepal's new Constitution will be an historic event marking the culmination of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The conclusion of this long process should lay the foundation for Nepal’s future political stability and economic development," EU had said in a statement issued after the promulgation of new constitution in Nepal.

However, the EU-India joint statement shows that the EU has towed the Indian line vis-à-vis Nepal’s constitution.

"They (the EU and India) also agreed on the need for a lasting and inclusive constitutional settlement in Nepal that will address the remaining Constitutional issues in a time bound manner, and promote political stability and economic growth," read the joint statement after the completion of 13th EU-India Summit.

Akin to the reference in the India-UK statement following a bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart David Cameron in London in November last year, the issue of the constitution and the post-quake recovery have featured in the joint statement between the EU and India.

Nepal was also an agenda of the summit that was largely focused on the issues between the union and India like trade and investment, foreign and security policy, climate, energy, water and migration. The EU was represented by Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi represent India.

Similarly, they have also pledged to continue their support to Nepal for the reconstruction after the earthquakes in last year. "The EU and India pledged continued support to Nepal in its reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquakes in 2015, including capacity building and long term development," the statement added.

According to the statement, they reaffirmed their support to enhanced and broad-based regional cooperation in South Asia encompassing deeper economic and trade exchanges and progress on connectivity projects.