India on Friday said that “inclusive constitution and consultation among stakeholders still remain pillars of our position concerning” the political situation in Nepal while clarifying that it has not instructed the political parties in Nepal to do or not to do something.

Amid reports that New Delhi has shifted its position on the constitution amendment process in Nepal, India said that it supports “the aspirations [of people] for an inclusive political order, inclusive constitution, and consultations to arrive at provisions that will satisfy every section of the society”.

During a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said New Delhi has not pressed either the ruling parties or the Madhes-based parties on constitutional amendments or election-related issues.

Recently, there were media reports that Indian Ambassador to Nepal Majeev Singh Puri pressed the Madhes-based parties to participate in the local level elections by putting the constitution amendment process on hold. He refuted such reports.

“We have not pressed the political parties. Neither have we been prescriptive on the internal political matters of Nepal,” said Baglay. “We support the aspirations to have an inclusive political order and inclusive constitution, and consultations to arrive at such provisions which satisfy everyone.”

“India is supportive of the initiatives taken by the government of Nepal to take all sections on society on board,” he said, adding that Delhi wished for peace, stability and development in Nepal.