New Delhi, Aug 6: Urging the Nepali Congress (NC) to take the lead in the democratic transition of Nepal by encompassing all political actors, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reminded NC President Sushil Koirala of the historic responsibility of NC to take Nepal toward the path of peace, prosperity and democracy.
PM Singh in a meeting with Koirala in New Delhi on Monday praised the role played by NC in the democratic movements in Nepal. Emerging from the meeting, party general secretary Krishna Prasad Sitaula, said, "Prime Minister Singh praised the role of Nepali Congress in establishing democracy in Nepal and said that NC has a glorious tradition," adding, "PM Singh has said that the NC should take the lead and usher the country into peace and prosperity by bringing together all political forces in the country." [break]
Sitaula, who was present during the meeting, further said, "PM Singh has said that India is always willing to help Nepal as per the wishes of the Nepalese people."
Manmohan Singh has also urged for holding the Constituent Assembly elections on the stipulated date.
"Singh has urged for holding the elections and assured India´s help for the same," Prakash Man Singh, another NC general secretary, who has accompanied Koirala, told Republica after the meeting.
Koirala, on his part, told PM Singh that the second CA election is needed for the political stability in Nepal and to have a democratic constitution. According to Prakash Man Singh, Koirala briefed the Indian prime minister on the political situation in Nepal and also said that the political parties are having "fruitful dialogue" with the opposing voices, including the Baidya-led CPN-Maoist.
Singh also informed that the duo discussed development aspects of Nepal and disaster management. "PM Singh and our party president discussed the need to strengthen bilateral ties to help in the development of Nepal and also talked about the need to address the devastation caused due to floods each year."
Koirala is on a six-day official visit to India at the invitation of Indian PM.
Koirala also met with National Security Advisor of India, Shivshankar Menon and discussed the upcoming elections in Nepal on Monday.
He attended a reception hosted by the AICC (All India Congress Committee) in the evening.
We urge all political parties to have polls: Foreign Secretary
The newly-appointed foreign secretary of India Sujata Singh has said that India is looking forward to working with all political parties.
"We look forward to working with all political parties of Nepal and we urge all parties to have elections in accordance with the wishes of the Nepalese people," Singh told Republica after meeting koirala.
Singh called upon Koirala at Hotel Lalit in New Delhi, where he is staying. Stating that she had a "good meeting" with Koirala, Singh said, "It was an honour meeting Mr Koirala as he is a well-respected figure in Nepal."
This was her first official response to the situation in India´s neighbourhood since assuming office on August 1 after which she has said that India´s neighbourhood is "high in priority" in India´s foreign policy.
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