India has refrained from making official comments on the recent political developments in Nepal.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing here on Thursday, Spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry of India Vikas Swarup said the recent political developments in Kathmandu are the country’s internal matters. “How can I make comments on something that is internal matter of Nepal,” Swarup said.

Asked about Prime Minister KP Oli’s statement about India’s involvement in toppling his government, Swarup said, “I have not seen that statement. If so, we

would categorically reject such statement.”

Earlier, in informal talks with the Post, a senior Indian official requesting anonymity said that the new Nepali Congress-CPN (Maoist Centre) coalition government should focus on building better relations between the two countries. The official also said that all the forces including the CPN-UML and the Madhes-based parties should be taken on board for implementing the constitution adopted last year.

“We believe that Nepal should move ahead with the new constitution,” the official said, adding that the remaining demands should be addressed and the country should go to the polls. Indian officials also want the NC-Maoist coalition to bring stability to Nepal. UML’s support is necessary for holding the elections, the official said.

The reading of the Indian establishment is that there exists anti-India sentiment even in the Tarai, blaming the ruling parties for the scenario.

Indian officials believe that some sections of society are hell bent on spreading anti-India sentiment in Nepal.

“Both ultra-nationalists in Kathmandu and CK Raut in the Madhes are bad for bilateral relations,” said the official. Asked about the dissolution of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government in 2008 and the subsequent souring of relations between the Maoists and India, the official said: “Now the situation has changed. We will accept the decision of the Nepali Parliament.”

A few days ago, former Indian ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran publicly said that while there was anti-India sentiment in Nepal, “there is no anti-Nepal sentiment in India”.