["In his meeting with Ambassador Upadhyay on Wednesday, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had urged the Nepali envoy to go to Kathmandu, if need be, to create a conducive environment for talks. "According to sources, Doval also telephoned Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and asked him to convey to all sides of India’s expectation for an early political agreement, peace and stability in Nepal." (Excerpted from, and highlighted in, the report at sl. no. III below.)
It is significant that on the Indian side the baton has virtually been passed on from the Foreign Secretary to the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, considered too close to Prime Minister Modi.] I/III. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-09-25/govt-defends-contents-of-new-constitution.html Govt defends contents of new constitution - Post Report, Kathmandu Sep 25, 2015- The government on Thursday issued a statement defending the contents of the new constitution. According to the statement, the Constituent Assembly, with 601 members, itself reflects the diversity of various backward regions and ethnic, religious, cultural and social groups, including Madhesis, Adivasi Janjatis, Dalits and Muslims. The government said that the constitution drafting went through a long process, nearly eight years, characterised by inclusivity, participation, transparency and openness, making it the largest democratic exercise Nepal has ever had in its political and constitutional history. “Republicanism, federalism with delineation of provincial boundaries, secularism and religious freedom, separation of power, political pluralism and competitive parliamentary system of governance, rule of law, independent judiciary, human rights and proportional inclusion are enshrined in the constitution. The debate and discussion on these issues took considerable amount of time and energy to seek a compromise,” the statement said. “The government of Nepal believes that the promulgation of the new constitution and the political development that has evolved through painstaking democratic process will further contribute to the warm and cordial relations that we enjoy with close neighbours, other friendly countries and the international community.” Noting that Nepali society is diverse in terms of religion, culture, ethnicity and geography, the government said it was impossible to satisfy everyone’s demand in entirety. The government, however, maintained that given the vast diversity of Nepal and representation of political parties even with diametrically opposite political views and non-majority situation in the Constituent Assembly, promulgation of the constitution was possible only by reaching compromise with broadest possible consensus. It is evidently clear that the early promulgation of the new constitution was an imperative to end protracted transition, which has cost the country a lot in terms of political stability, economic development and social progress, the statement said. “Moreover, its promulgation is a historic achievement and a milestone to preserve and institutionalise democratic gains that the people of Nepal achieved over the years through historical people’s struggles and movements.” Thanking to the international community for their support, the government extended its cordial thanks and appreciation to the neighbours and all friendly countries and the international community who for their valuable support to the Nepali people in the constitution making process and its promulgation. “The leader and the people of Nepal are aware of the fact that some groups still harbour dissatisfaction with some of the provisions of the constitution. The government and Nepali political parties have repeatedly called for dialogue and expressed their commitment to address the genuine concerns of any group through appropriate process recognising the fact that the constitution itself is a dynamic document and could be amended for the genuine cause of the people,” the statement said. The government, according to the statement, is wholly committed to the principles of human rights while dealing with the violent and aggressive agitators too. “However, the government is also cognizant of the rights and duties of all democratic sovereign states and it is equally essential to maintain law and order and to protect the life and property of the people in all circumstances.” Published: 25-09-2015 09:44 II. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-09-25/yadav-warns-against-anti-indian-rhetoric.html Yadav warns against anti-Indian rhetoric - Post Report, Kathmandu Sep 25, 2015- Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has urged against engaging in any activities that could effect the Nepal-India relations. “It’s irresponsible to misinterpret, make unnecessary remarks or suppress the protest of Madhesis, Adivasi Janajatis, Tharus, Dalits, Muslims and other backward communities by linking their struggle with the neighbour. It won’t do well for the nation,” Yadav said in a statement on Thursday. He also said it was a sheer folly to make negative remarks over economic blockade even when the India and customs officials have dismissed it as a mere rumour. Earlier this week, Indian Ministry of External Affairs had issued a statement with veiled threats of blockade, though officials concerned later clarified that no such plans were under consideration. But Indian security forces and customs officials have continued to stop vehicles at the border from entering Nepal citing security concerns. Yadav also said the effort to suppress the Madhes and Tharu protests is a sheer short-sightedness of the government and the major parties. He has called for revision of the constitution as per the spirit of the Interim Constitution and implementation of past agreements, including eight-point and 22-point agreement, signed with Madhesi parties, and other agreement signed with other groups. Published: 25-09-2015 09:46 III. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2015-09-25/ambassador-arrives-with-delhis-message-today.html Ambassador arrives with Delhi’s message today Upadhyay and his Indian counterpart are expected to hold talks with Madhesi leaders - Devendra Bhattarai, NEW DELHI Sep 25, 2015- Nepali Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay is arriving in Kathmandu on Friday with Delhi’s message of “an immediate need for political dialogue and consensus between the concerned stakeholders”. ***In his meeting with Ambassador Upadhyay on Wednesday, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had urged the Nepali envoy to go to Kathmandu, if need be, to create a conducive environment for talks.*** [Emphasis added'] ***According to sources, Doval also telephoned Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and asked him to convey to all sides of India’s expectation for an early political agreement, peace and stability in Nepal.*** [Emphasis added.] “Upon reaching Kathmandu, I will tell the prime minister and political leaders about Delhi’s wish for peace and stability in Nepal. I will also inform Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concerns about the growing distance among Nepal’s political parties,” Upadhyay told the Post. Efforts are being made by ambassadors of both countries to maintain understanding and dialogue after the Indian prime minister expressed serious concerns over the aggravating ties between the two neighbours. “We have begun efforts to improve bilateral relations following a briefing at the advisers’ level of security affairs,” said an officer at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, adding that “immature and undiplomatic press statements” issued by the External Affairs Ministry in the last week contributed to a new low in Nepal-India relations. Upadhyay and his Indian counterpart Rae are expected to hold talks in Kathmandu with key Madhesi leaders, including Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, Upendra Yadav and Mahanta Thakur, in a bid to create environment for dialogue and consensus. Meanwhile, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala, who is in the Indian capital city on a personal visit, said 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 seven-amendment suggestion given to Nepal. The issue of naturalised citizenship can be addressed through talks,” Koirala told the Post. Published: 25-09-2015 09:52 -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
