September 19: India today issued a desperate public appeal to Nepal, asking its leaders to demonstrate “flexibility and maturity” to overcome a crisis over a new constitution that is threatening to yank the Himalayan nation into a fresh spiral of violence and instability.
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Accompanied by Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae, Jaishankar made the brief remarks at the Tribhuvan worldwide Airport this morning talking to media persons but did not entertain questions.
During his meeting with President Ram Baran Yadav at the Rastrapati Bhawan, Jaishankar, who is here as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, underlined the need to address the concerns of all sides 0while promulgating the new statute, President’s press advisor Rajendra Dahal said.
Bill Flores, R-Bryan, and Jeb Hensarling, R-Athens, signed a letter urging Kerry “to work through diplomatic channels and to coordinate with regional allies and the United Nations to call upon the government of Nepal to ensure that its new constitution protects the rights of religious minorities”.
Nepalese policemen stand guard as activists of Nepal’s Madhesi…
During his brief visit, Jaishankar is learnt to have conveyed India’s concern regarding the agitation in the Terai region as well as goodwill on the constitution-making process.
In Nepal, the leaders of major political parties have hailed the constitution as a long-awaited dream of the people fulfilled after 70 years.
The extension of time given to the Constituent Assembly members was aimed apparently at bringing the disgruntled Madhesi parties onboard before the new constitution is promulgated on Sunday evening.
He said the door for dialogue is still open and the issues could be resolved through amendment to the Constitution even after its promulgation.
The Madhesi parties have, however, warned a blackout in the southern plains tomorrow as they claim that their demands were not incorporated in the Constitution.
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After the NC, the UML and the UCPN (M) drew boundaries of federal provinces in the new constitution, at least 40 people, including police personnel, have lost their lives so far.
