Parties not serious toward peace process: Indian PM

NEW DELHI, March 10: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed India´s concern over lack of seriousness among Nepali political parties toward the peace process, which has delayed promulgation of a democratic constitution in the country.



Singh raised this concern during his 50-minute long parley on Wednesday with Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Chairman, Surya Bahadur Thapa, who is in New Delhi on a five-day visit.[break]



Quoting PM Singh a source close to Thapa said that India is worried that the political parties in Nepal have not taken the peace process seriously and all parties should now cooperate to write the constitution within the stipulated time. He also expressed concern over the delay in rehabilitation and integration of the Maoist combatants that was to be completed within six months of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord.



Stating that “an unstable Nepal would put India in a difficult position,” Singh urged the political parties to conclude the peace process soon in line with the popular mandate.



Similarly, Thapa met with Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday. Mukherjee has maintained a close relation with Nepal´s political parties for a long time.



According to the source, Mukherjee has assured Thapa of the willingness on the part of India to extend any support to write the new constitution in Nepal.



Thapa reached New Delhi for health check-up on Monday, and met with Congress-I President Sonia Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani, Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao upon arrival. The leaders had also stressed on the “need for all the stakeholders in Nepal to conclude the democratic process” on time.



Thapa is scheduled to return to Kathmandu on Saturday.

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