Indian envoy meets Prachanda, discusses govt formation

Sun, May 11 07:54 PM

Kathmandu, May 11 (PTI) With Nepal's main political parties unable to iron out their differences to form a Maoist-led government, India's new Ambassador Rakesh Sood today met CPN-M chairman Prachanda for the fourth time in three weeks and discussed the latest political developments in the country. The discussions during the hour-long meeting centred around the latest political developments, formation of the new government and the bilateral relations between the two countries, CPN-Maoist sources said.

Prachanda's deputy Baburam Bhattarai was also present in the meeting. This was the fourth such meeting between Prachanda and the Indian envoy in three weeks.

The meeting is regarded here as "significant". Hectic consultations among the major political parties are on in Nepal on formation of a new government.

Sood had held talks with Prachanda, whose party is expected to lead a coalition government in the Himalayan nation, on last Thursday also. Meanwhile, Maoist number two leader Bhattarai, talking to businessmen in Kathmandu, called for regulating the 1,700 km long border with India.

Speaking at a function in Kathmandu Bhattarai said, Nepal cannot develop well if "we keep the open border unmanaged". He said the open border between Nepal and India was "an obstacle" to Nepal's industrial development.

Due to the open border, the industries of Nepal cannot flourish, he said. PTI.

RECOMMEND THIS STORY