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Envoy Upadhyay arriving in Kathmandu with ‘Delhi’s message’
Amidst the ongoing chaos at various places in Tarai region and along Nepal-India border due to the protests by disgruntled Madhes-based parties, Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay is flying to Kathmandu on Friday with Delhi’s message of ‘an immediate need for political dialogue and consensus between the concerned stakeholders’.Devendra Bhattarai
Amidst the ongoing chaos at various places in Tarai region and along Nepal-India border due to the protests by disgruntled Madhes-based parties, Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay is flying to Kathmandu on Friday with Delhi’s message of ‘an immediate need for political dialogue and consensus between the concerned stakeholders’.
In a meeting with ambassador Upadhyay on Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval suggested the Nepali envoy to go to Kathmandu, if need be, to create a conducive environment for talks.
According to sources, Doval telephoned Indian ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and urged him to convey all sides about India’s expectation for political agreement, peace and stability in Nepal.
“Upon reaching Kathmandu, I will tell the prime minister and political leaders about the Delhi’s wish for peace and stability in Nepal. I will also inform Indian PM Narendra Modi’s concerns about the growing distance between Nepal’s political parties,” Upadhyay told the Post.
Efforts are being made from the ambassadors of both the countries to maintain mutual understanding and dialogue after the Indian Prime Minister expressed his serious concerns over the straining ties between two neighbours in recent days.
“We have started initiatives to ease the bilateral relations following a briefing at the advisers’ level of security affairs regarding the immature and undiplomatic press statements over unrest in Nepal issued by the External Affairs Ministry in the last week,” said an officer at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Upadhyay and his Indian counterpart Rae are expected to hold talks in Kathmandu with key Madhesi leaders including Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Upendra Yadav and Mahantha Thakur in a bid to create environment for dialogue and consensus.
Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, who is now in Delhi for his personal visit, opined that the situation has further deteriorated due to lack of dialogue with the agitating Tharu and Madhesi leaders. “I don’t see anything wrong with the rumour about India’s seven-point amendment suggestions to Nepal. The issues including the naturalised citizen can be resolved through mutual dialogue,” Koirala told the Post.