Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli briefed the government coalition partners on his India visit in Baluwatar on Thursday. Oli said his visit to India was successful.

He returned to Kathmandu on Wednesday evening wrapping up his six-day state visit to the southern neighbour.

“I strongly put my positions,” said Oli, “The new constitution was promulgated with 90 percent majority of the Constitution Assembly. I clearly asked why they have reservation on that. In reply, Modiji [his Indian counterpart] said that their desire was simply to see all sides satisfied with the constitution.”

In his briefing, PM Oli said that he asked India to maintain direct relations with the government of Nepal. “The issues related to Nepal should be discussed with the government, not with a handful of people,” said Oli.

Oli said that access to Bangladesh port for trade is a remarkable achievement of his visit. Saying that he was accorded grand welcome in various places of India, PM Oli hailed the immense support and good-will shown towards Nepal by Indian people.

He informed the ruling party leaders that the India leaders didn’t raise the issue of Hindu state as reported by some media, according to a leader present in the meeting.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said the visit was a success. “The honours given to the prime minister in the current situation and his strong position should be regarded an achievement,” said Dahal.

Leaders present at the meeting said they hoped the ties between the two countries would improve following PM’s visit.

UCPN (M) Chair Dahal, CPN-UML senior leader Jhalanath Khanal, Deputy-chair Bamdev Gautam, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Loktantrik) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, CPN-UML General Secretary CP Mainali, Lokendra Bahadur Chand from RPP-Nepal, Rastriya Janamorcha’s Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC, among other leaders, were present in the briefing programme.