Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri on Wednesday appeared before mediapersons for the first time since he assumed office in March at an interaction the Capital where he highlighted the importance of Nepal-India ties but stopped short of making any political comments.  

“An ambassador cannot pass comments on Nepal’s politics. I cannot comment on it,” said Puri, responding to a question “how India is viewing local elections in Nepal.” 

At the interaction, organised by the Reporters’ Club, Puri spoke at length on Nepal-India ties and laid stress on further strengthening the relations between the two countries, which he said “are already very cordial and friendly”.  “We have conducted six high-level visits in the last six months; this itself is rare in the world and demonstrates how close we are,” he added.  

Puri also called on Nepal for partnership with India for its economic acceleration and development, saying that India as a good friend, partner and well wisher always wants to see political stability and prosperity in Nepal. 

Puri succeeded Ranjit Rey as Indian ambassador to Nepal and joined office in March, months ahead of local level elections. 

Ties between Nepal and India saw a dip after the promulgation of the constitution in September 2015. An Indian blockade did further harm to the relations between the two countries. 

Since then, New Delhi all along has maintained but one stance and called on Nepali political leadership to take all sections of society on board for the broader acceptance of the constitution.