India asks Nepalese parties to draft constitution on time

Kathmandu, Mar 17 (PTI) India Tuesday appealed to
Nepalese political parties to set aside their differences and
draft the Constitution on time, as it expressed readiness to
expand bilateral cooperation and trade relations.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood called on Prime
Minister Prachanda at his residence in Baluwatar and discussed
the current political situation and the ongoing peace process,
PM's press Advisor Om Sharma said.

"Ambassador Sood expressed India's desire to see
Nepal's peace process come to a logical end at earliest and
the constitution be drafted on time," he said.

Sood wanted to see differences among the political
parties be sorted out and expressed readiness to expand
bilateral cooperation and trade relations.

The issue of army integration and relation between the
government and the main opposition Nepali Congress also
figured during the talks, he said.

The talks between Prachanda and ambassador Sood assume
significance as it comes close on the heels of NC chief
Koirala returning from India on a personal visit.

After returning from New Delhi, Koirala had asked
Prachanda run the Government by consulting with all
stakeholders.