Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said on Saturday that India’s support and goodwill was crucial for the implementation of the constitution. 

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, PM Dahal also lauded India’s support in the peace process that was initiated in 2006.

“There was support and goodwill of India to initiate the peace process; I believe this will continue as we implement the constitution,” said Dahal, who, however, was quick to add that the demands raised by the Madhes-based parties were “internal issues” and that they would be resolved by amending the constitution.

Dahal’s visit to India, which is taking place 45 days after he assumed office, is largely seen as part of his efforts to reboot bilateral ties which hit rock bottom following the constitution promulgation in September last year.

Before leaving for India, PM Dahal had said he was visiting the southern neighbour “to build trust and confidence”. On Saturday, Dahal said: “My visit has laid the foundation for rebuilding trust between two countries.”

“I had extensive talks with Prime Minister [Narenda] Modi on a wide range of bilateral issues,” said Dahal. 

Dahal, however, refused to comment on reports that New Delhi “does not seem to be in mood to oblige to Nepal’s request to welcome the constitution”. Last year, India, whose official position has been “Nepali political parties should try to forge broader consensus”, had made a terse response to constitution promulgation and “noted” that Nepal had adopted a new charter. PM Dahal on Saturday rather chose to talk about his discussions with the Indian side regarding the pending projects.

“We have reached an understanding for the time-bound completion of development projects,” said Dahal.

Earlier on Saturday, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh called on PM Dahal. The two leaders discussed issues like combating cross-border terrorism and regulating open border among others. Singh also conveyed India’s security concerns due to open border to PM Dahal.

Similarly, Indian PM Modi’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also called on Dahal at Rastrapati Bhawan on Saturday.

PM Dahal, who completed his official engagements in New Delhi on Friday, visited a hydropower project in Himachal, which is one of the largest hydropower projects of India, on Saturday 

Dahal is scheduled to return home on Sunday.