President Patil hopes Nepal's new Constitution would be ready soon

New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Tuesday hoped that the new Constitution in Nepal would be ready soon.

"Nepal has crossed several important milestones on its journey to a stable and inclusive multiparty democracy. We hope that the remaining tasks would be completed expeditiously, so that the new Constitution of Nepal is adopted," Patil said in her address at a banquet hosted for visiting Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav.

President Yadav, however, sought India's support in the crucial transformation taking place in Nepal.

"At this crucial juncture when Nepalese people are rewriting their history, we look forward for greater support and understanding from our friends and well-wishers like India. Besides, our two countries have common stake for peace and stability in this region," he said.

He also called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the entire gamut of the relationship - from economic cooperation to the political situation in Nepal.

The two countries also signed an agreement on New Air Service besides three MoUs comprising development of railway infrastructure at five points along India-Nepal border, development of Nepal Bharat Maitri Polytechnic at Hetauda Makwanpur district and establishment of Nepal Bharat Maitri Sabha Griha, Birgunj.

He also met External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.

He will be attending various programmes in Haridwar and Roorkee today and will return to New Delhi the same evening.

On Thursday, Yadav will be attending various programmes in New Delhi, before returning to Kathmandu in the evening.

This is President Yadav's first visit to any foreign country after Nepal was declared a Republic in May 2008. (ANI)