Constitutional amendment an internal issue: Nepal

New Delhi, Sep 13 (PTI) Ahead of Nepalese Prime MinisterPushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India, Nepal today made it clearthat the issue of Constitution amendment was an internalmatter even as it said that both countries need to"introspect" on past issues like the "blockade". Visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahatalso assured full cooperation to India on security issues andsaid Nepal will not allow its soil to be used against India. He said all bilateral problems need to be conveyed onlythrough diplomatic channels. Mahat stressed that Nepal wants to see tangible resultson ground and for this faster implementation of Indianprojects was necessary besides complete market access. "I think the coming visit of Nepalese Prime Minister willbe very fruitful and we will start a new chapter of ourrelationship," Mahat said speaking to reporters here beforeleaving for Nepal. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commonly known as ‘Prachanda’ iscoming here on a four-day visit this week, in his firstoverseas trip after taking over office last month. Nepal’s ties with India had strained after a months-longborder blockade last year by the ethnic minority protestersover the new Constitution, which they claim is discriminatoryto their interest. The Oli government had accused India ofimposing an "unofficial blockade" on the landlocked nation tosupport the Madhesi demand of more political representation. "Our Constitution is basically very inclusive but ofcourse there is scope for improvement as there is noConstitution in the world which is perfect," he said. Admitting that there are "some grievances", he said thenew government is working on it. "We have had several round of discussions with variousstakeholders. We are taking it very seriously but it is asubject which the Nepal parliament, Nepal government and Nepalpeople will decide. It is our internal process. Whatever isgood for Nepalese, we will decide. "Whatever change that needs to be amended is completelyinternal Nepali process and based on demand and aspiration ofthe people of Nepal, we will keep on improving ourConstitution," he said. Asked about the new government’s expectation from India,the Foreign Minister said he would rather talk about buildingrelationships based on trust, friendship and cooperation. "That is what this visit is all about," he said notingthat besides his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, he met withWater Minister Uma Bharati, Power Minister Piyush Goyal.National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, BJP leader Ram Madhavand Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi. More PTI SAP AAR DVAAR