The last time Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar came calling to Nepal in the third week of September, two days ahead of the scheduled date of constitution promulgation, he was carrying New Delhi’s message for the Nepali leadership that charter promulgation needed to be postponed. 

Jaishankar had met then prime minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli and UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, asking them first to take the disgruntled Madhes-based parties on board for broader ownership of the statute. When Nepal went on to promulgate the constitution on September 20 ignoring concerns of the southern neighbour, India merely “noted” the constitution, irking the Nepali leadership no end. 

Jaishankar is once again in Nepal. This time to attend the Saarc conference being held in Pokhara. 

But the political landscape in Nepal has changed since Jaishankar’s last visit in September. 

We hope to see a prosperous and stable Nepal under your decisive leadership. India is ready to extend required help during your tenure  -S Jaishankar to PM Oli

The UML is in power now. UML’s KP Sharma Oli, who became the new prime minister about three weeks after the constitution promulgation, has already made a trip to the southern neighbour. 

PM Oli’s visit to India in February was held hot on the heels of strained ties between the two neighbours. Both the countries then said misunderstandings had been cleared. 

On Tuesday, on the sidelines of the Saarc conference, Jaishankar praised Prime Minister Oli for taking the lead to amend the new constitution and called on to resolve remaining issues through dialogue and negotiations. 

During the meeting, Jaishankar suggested that PM Oli find early solution to the domestic issues for peace and prosperity and development. He said that India was ready to assist in Nepal’s development, as a stable and prosperous neighbour is inherently linked with India’s security and prosperity. He also urged Oli to find an amicable solution to domestic issues by taking all sides into consideration.  

“We hope to see a prosperous and stable Nepal under your decisive leadership. India is ready to extend required help during your tenure,” PM Oli’s Foreign Affairs Expert Gopal Khanal quoted Jaishankar as saying. 

 Sources present in the meeting said Jaishankar reiterated what New Delhi has been saying since the promulgation of the constitution. 

Addressing a joint press conference with PM Oli during his New Delhi visit, Indian PM Narendra Modi had described Nepal’s new constitution as a significant achievement. But a joint communiqué at the end of PM Oli’s visit could not be issued, largely, according to sources, due to India’s reluctance. 

On Tuesday, PM Oli told Jaishankar that economic development now remains Nepal’s main focus as the country has entered into a new era of peace and stability following the promulgation of the constitution.  He also informed Jaishankar that the government has taken concrete steps to address political and domestic problems that emerged after the charter promulgation. 

Stating that Nepali parties are capable of handling the internal problems, PM Oli said that the government would also address remaining grievances of disgruntled groups through dialogue and negotiations. According to PM Oli’s close aides, PM Oli also said that “Nepal is careful about and committed to avoiding any anti-Indian activities on its soil.”