India welcomes Nepal's decision to amend Constitution

"External Affairs Minister was informed by Nepal’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa today that the Nepalese Cabinet has taken some important decisions to address and resolve demands regarding the Constitution raised by agitating Madhes-based parties," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"Government of India welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal," it said.

The decisions taken by Nepal include amendments to the Constitution on participation in the state organs on the basis of proportionate inclusiveness and delineation of electoral constituencies on the basis of population.

The demarcation of provinces is also to be addressed through an appropriate arrangement in the Constitution on the basis of political consensus.

Similarly, others demands including citizenship are to be resolved through negotiations and consensus.

The full text of the statement issued by Indian government on the situation on Nepal is given below:

"External Affairs Minister was informed by Nepal’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa today that the Nepalese Cabinet has taken some important decisions to address and resolve demands regarding the Constitution raised by agitating Madhes-based parties.

These decisions include amendments to the Constitution on participation in the state organs on the basis of proportionate inclusiveness and delineation of electoral constituencies on the basis of population. The demarcation of provinces is also to be addressed through an appropriate arrangement in the Constitution on the basis of political consensus. Similarly, others demands including citizenship are to be resolved through negotiations and consensus.

Government of India welcomes these developments as positive steps that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal. As a neighbour and well-wisher, India was deeply concerned at the unrest stemming from internal differences in Nepal on the Constitution. We urge all Nepali political forces to now demonstrate the necessary maturity and flexibility to find a satisfactory solution to the Constitutional issues through constructive dialogue in an agreed timeframe.

We are confident that a return to normalcy in Nepal would create a more secure and predictable climate for unimpeded commerce between our two countries."