Indian Ambassador meets Nepal PM as poll deadlock persists

Sood called on the caretaker Prime Minister and discussed with him the latest political situation, as also the issue of extension to United Nation's Mission in Nepal.
During the meeting, the two discussed matters of bilateral interest and the current political situation, Prime Minister's press adviser Bishnu Rijal said. Sood also assured India's continued support and assistance to Nepal's peace and democratisation process.

They also discussed the issue of the extension of the term of the UNMIN, that has been an issue of disagreement between the ruling coalition and the opposition Maoists. While the parties in the ruling coalition is in favour of an extension with a limited mandate and wants the Nepalese Army to be out of the UNMIN's purview, the Maoists want an extension without a change in mandate.

The government is likely to take a decision on the future of UN's mission next week. Its term ends on September 15. Prime Minister Nepal has also held talks with ambassadors of the USA, Japan and the UK in the last few days in a bid to push for the extension of the tenure of UNMIN.

Nepal told Sood that he wants to move forward with the peace process and the process of drafting the new constitution and the election of a new prime minister at the earliest. The Prime Minister also informed the Indian Ambassador that he has initiated a dialogue with leaders of various political parties in order to resolve the current deadlock.

Sood said India has always extended support to any decision made by the Nepalese government on the basis of consensus. A concerned India had last month sent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy Shyam Saran to hold parleys with top leaders of Nepal in an effort to defuse the political tension gripping the country.

During his meeting with Nepal's top leaders, including Prachanda, Nepali Congress acting president Shushil Koirala and CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal, Saran made it clear that India had no favourites and it was for political parties in the country to choose a new leader and end the crisis.