Visiting Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh Friday met leader of the United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda and discussed a wide range of political and bilateral issues.
Rajnath Singh praised Prachanda for performing a miracle by bringing back peace in Nepal and urged him to do another, a Maoist leader said.
"Under your leadership, the long awaited peace process was completed. Now time has come for another miracle by helping bring out a new constitution," he told Prachanda.
In response, Prachanda also praised Rajnath, saying: "You also did a miracle in India where the BJP has received majority under your leadership."
The Indian home minister also reminded the role of Prachanda which is very crucial at a time when Nepal is investing its energy in the constitution drafting process.
Maoist leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who was present during the meeting, told media that political parties have more or less agreed on several issues of a new constitution and hopes were high to promulgate a new charter by end of January next year, a date set by Nepali political parties.
"The meeting was very positive and candid. It has added additional mark in Nepal-India relations and BJP and UCPN-M," Mahara said.
Rajnath Singh also held talks with Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav at the latter's residence.
"In my meetings with Nepali leaders I stressed upon the need for an inclusive and federal constitution in the Himalayan country," he tweeted appreciating the political leaders of Nepal who have broadly agreed to work on drafting a constitution by taking all stakeholders into confidence.
"Nepal will soon return on its path of political stability, peace and prosperity," he added.
Earlier Friday, Rajnath Singh also held talks with chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), K.P. Sharma Oli, and discussed issues related to power cooperation between Nepal and India and progress on constitution drafting process.
The minioster also met Nepali Congress leaders Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ram Chandra Poudel and six Madhes-based leaders. On Thursday, Rajnath held a meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.
An Indian Embassy statement said: "During his meetings with leaders of Nepal, Singh stated that it is evident from the history that India has never followed the policy of expansionism."
He further stressed that security needs of Nepal and India are intrinsically linked and expressed deep appreciation for the contribution of Nepalese citizens to the Indian Army.
(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)
