India today said it wants to see political stability and development in Nepal as its own security is linked to the prosperity of the country which has witnessed crippling border blockades recently due to protests by Madhesis over the new Constitution.
"We want to see political stability and development of Nepal as India's security is linked to the prosperity of Nepal," visiting Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar told Prime Minister K P Oli when he called on him here.
Jaishankar said India wants to see political stability and development in Nepal, according to Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Gopal Khanal.
Prime Minister Oli told Jaishankar that Nepal's "internal problem" will be resolved soon as talks with the agitating Madhesi parties were heading towards a "positive direction".
Giving a commitment on providing protection to Indian investments in Nepal, Oli called for more investments from India.
Nepal attaches high priority to Indian investments, he told Jaishankar.
"Nepal's internal problem will be resolved soon and the government's talks with the agitating Madhesi parties were heading towards positive direction," Oli said.
Jaishankar, who arrived here last night to take part in the SAARC meetings, called on Prime Minister Oli at his office at Singhdurbar here before flying to the picturesque Pokhara valley to attend the Foreign Secretary-level SAARC meeting.
"After promulgating the new Constitution, Nepal is now ready to embark towards economic prosperity and we need India's support and assistance," Oli said during the meeting.
Jaishankar also appreciated the Prime Minister for playing a "decisive role" in the current situation as the country was facing a crisis.
He said the Indian government has confidence in the Nepalese government and India is ready to help Nepal in whatever way it can.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar also met leaders of the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front and discussed the current political situation and the Madhesi problems.
During the meeting, Jaishankar told the Madhesi leaders that India wants to see Nepal's internal problem resolved internally and cautioned that any problem arising in the southern plains bordering India will have a negative impact on India's security.
Madhesi leaders briefed Jaishankar about the current situation in Terai and reviewed the Madhesi agitation, said Laxman Lal Karna, Vice President of the Sadbhavana Party, one of the members of the Madhesi Front.
He said the Madhsei Front will be forced to re-launch its agitation if the government did not take an initiative towards fulfilling their demands.
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Jaishankar also called on the newly elected Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba at his residence here.
He congratulated former Prime Minister Deuba on his election to the post of party president.
During the meeting, they also discussed the latest political situation in the country, according to sources close to Deuba.
Deuba has succeeded late Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala, who passed away last month after suffering from lung cancer and bronchitis.
Deuba was elected as the president of the largest party of the country Nepali Congress during the party's 13th general convention that concluded in Kathmandu last week.
