Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, who arrived here in Kathmandu on Friday as a special envoy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli at the latter’s residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur earlier today. 

The duo held extensive discussions on Nepal’s political affairs during the meeting that lasted for about nearly 3 hours.  Jaishankar told Oli that it would have been better if the disgruntled Madhes-based parties were brought onboard the constitution drafting process before promulgating the new constitution. However, Modi’s envoy said India was happy that Nepal is getting the new constitution through the Constituent Assembly (CA) after a long struggle, sources at Balkot said. 

Oli and Jaishankar held a separate meeting for about an hour. In the first one and half hours, Indian officials were also present in the meeting. 

At the meeting, the Indian foreign secretary urged Oli to move ahead by incorporating the disgruntled parties even though the constitution is promulgated. 

In response, Oli said the new constitution to be promulgated with the approval of 85 percent of the lawmakers and attended by 90 percent of the Constituent Assembly members will end Nepal’s political transition.  He added that the nation will embark on the path of development after the transition and expressed his hopes that India will continue its assistance for the same. 

Likewise, Secretary Jaishankar organised a lunch for leaders of various political parties at the Lainchaur-based Indian Embassy at 1 pm. He met leaders of Madhes-based parties and discussed the current political situation.

Similarly, he will meet President Ram Baran Yadav before meeting UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal at 5 pm. The Jaishankar-led delegation will return Delhi on Saturday morning.

The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived this morning, along with Joint Secretary Abhaya Thakur and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae with PM Modi’s “Old message of widest possible agreement” on Nepal’s new constitution. He went to Dwarika’s Hotel after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport.

During his visit as the Indian PM’s special envoy, Jaishankar is expected to take stock of Nepal’s political situation and convey Modi’s message to Nepal’s political leadership.

The visit comes two days ahead of the promulgation of new constitution.