NEW DELHI: As large parts of Nepal broke into celebrations over promulgation of its Constitution, India extended its best wishes, but expressed concern over the violence in border plains due to persistent differences.
After a wait for 65 years, Nepal finally got a Constitution after President Ram Baran Yadav announced its promulgation. The formal announcement was the last step which turned the Constituent Assembly into a legislature-parliament.
“Throughout the process of Constitution-making in Nepal, India has supported a federal, democratic, republican and inclusive Constitution. We note the promulgation in Nepal today of a Constitution,” said a statement from the External Affairs Ministry. It added that New Delhi was monitoring the situation in Terai, with emphasis that since the violence was along the border, India had a legitimate right to raise it. “We are concerned that the situation in several parts of the country bordering India continues to be violent,” it said, adding that the Indian ambassador in Kathmandu, Ranjit Rae had spoken to Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Kumar Koirala.
Urging for differences to be “resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation,” India said solutions to these issues should be “institutionalised in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance. This would lay the foundation for harmony, progress and development in Nepal. “We extend our best wishes to the people of Nepal,” said the statement.