India expresses concern over Nepal violence

India on Sunday took “note of the promulgation of a Constitution” in Nepal — rather than welcoming it — and expressed its concern over violence in some parts of the Himalayan state.

“We note the promulgation in Nepal of a Constitution,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Sunday. As the statement comes under criticism from many in the social media for absence of any welcoming words, Indian top political leadership remained silent.

At the same time, New Delhi expressed concerns over the eruption of violence in several parts of Nepal and asked the local leadership to resolve the issues through dialogue.

“We are concerned that the situation in several parts of the country bordering India continues to be violent. We urge that issues on which there are differences should be resolved through dialogue in an atmosphere free from violence and intimidation, and institutionalised in a manner that would enable broad-based ownership and acceptance....This would lay the foundation of harmony, progress and development in Nepal,” said the MEA statement. The Indian Ambassador in Kathmandu has spoken to the prime minister of Nepal on the unrest being seen in several districts bordering India.

The agitation and violence seems to have stemmed from the Nepal political establishment’s failure in suitably addressing the interests of Madhesi and Tharu communities, located mostly in the Terai region.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar travelled to Kathmandu on Friday as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for consultations with the countrys top leadership ahead of promulgation of the new constitution.

Besides President Yadav, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, CPN-UML chairman K P Sharma Oli and UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda.