Agreement among Nepal's political parties positive step: India

Kathmandu, Dec 25 (UNI) India has welcomed the agreement among the Nepal's seven political parties to hold the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections by mid-April 2008 and called it ''an encouraging development in the right direction''.

In response to media queries, regarding the 23-point agreement signed by the parties yesterday, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement that the agreement had accorded the central importance to the CA elections .

The exercise of the people's right to elect a Constituent Assembly in a free, fair, and fearless manner is the best way to enable the people of Nepal choose their own future, the statement added.

Expressing the hope that all concerned would work towards maintaining the new deadline for CA elections, it reiterated India's forever readiness to assist Nepal in all possible ways in its transition towards a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous state.

UNI