Nepalese Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay said time has come to find the obstacles which are holding SAARC back and dismissed suggestion that the regional grouping could move ahead without Pakistan at this juncture.
The envoy insisted that the Nepalese government was trying hard to meet the demands of the Madhesi community and take forward the democratic transition of the country. He said Nepal Government was bringing two constitutional amendments to resolve it and the steps should be seen positively.
Upadhyay, while expressing his country's strong commitment to further boost ties with India, at the same time said there was a need to "revisit" some treaties with mutual consent considering the changing context and that differences should be resolved with "open hearts".
Replying to queries on SAARC, he said while it was not yet time to move ahead without Pakistan, it should "come clear on terrorism".
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Asked if Pakistan should be kept away from SAARC, he said, "The time has not come for it. We must rethink whatever is the mistake and address it. We should wait for the realisation to come. We should provide sufficient time to realise. Time has come for them to come clear on terrorism."
On Nepal's growing ties with China, he said the "unique" Indo-Nepal ties should not be compared with anyone.
Without specifying issues, the envoy also said both India and Nepal should appreciate each other's sensitivities and "walk together" for making the ties stronger.
"I request very humbly to take a very, very positive account on this because politics is different, trade is different and diplomacy is different. Diplomacy must be quiet and respectful. It should be in favour of both the nations or the people" he said.
Nepal has been facing political crisis since the adoption of a new Constitution in September 2015. Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, have been opposing the new statute as they fear it would marginalise them by dividing the country into seven provinces. India has been favouring amicable solution to the issue.
On the demands of the Madhesi community, the envoy said
that in democracy demands of any single entity cannot be fulfilled 100 per cent and that consensus building was key to resolving issues.
"We are on the path of achieving full democracy. It is natural that Nepal expects goodwill, support and cooperation from the people and government of India," he said, adding Nepal supports India's "legitimate aspiration" to become a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council.
Holding that progress of the two countries are "destiny- intertwined", Upadhyay said all issues should be resolved with an approach of cooperation and collaboration.
The envoy said, "A strong foundation of Nepal-India relationship should rest on the mutual belief that both countries should walk through diplomatic channels in order to resolve any differences."
"There are some issues unique to Nepal arising out of its land locked condition and asymmetric economic capacity," he said and added that the country depends 100 per cent on India for supply of petroleum products.