Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae on Friday expedited political consultations holding talks with three top leaders and newly-appointed Nepal Army chief.

Rae held meetings with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday.

According to leaders privy to the meetings, the Indian envoy conveyed a message that constitution drafting process should be halted for some period to make an atmosphere conducive for talks. “The situation in Tarai-Madesh and other parts of the country is a political rather than law and order problem,” the envoy said, adding that India respects Nepal’s sovereignty and does not want to interfere in its internal affairs.

There was no official communication from the Indian embassy regarding the meetings. Embassy spokesperson was not available for comments.

“The Indian envoy communicated the concerns of India that constitution drafting process should be completed through consensus. He had also indicated to halt the process for the broader

political engagements,” Chunamani Khadka, an aide to Dahal said.