India welcomes Nepal Govt-Madhesi front pact

Kathmandu, Feb 28: Soon after the Nepal Government and the agitating United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) signed an eight-point pact, the Indian Government on Thursday welcome the agreement that ended the 16-day long indefinite strike in Terai.

The Indian Government said that the pact would pave the way for the April elections. "We welcome the fact that the Government of Nepal and the United Democratic Madhesi Front have reached an agreement paving the way for elections to the Constituent Assembly as scheduled," said a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

"It is our hope that all parties would honour and implement this agreement and their previous understandings. It is for the people of Nepal to choose their representatives, their future and the manner in which they wish to be governed. As always, India will continue to support Nepal in every way possible to achieve the goal of a democratic, stable and prosperous Nepal," the statement added.

Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on behalf of the Seven-Party alliance (SPA) coalition government and top leaders of the three parties affiliated to the front, Nepal Sadhbhavana Party, Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF) and Terai-Madhes Democratic Party signed the agreement, Nepalnews reported.

The two sides finalised points of the eight-point draft, including the 'mass' recruitment of the Madhesi people in the Nepali Army (NA).

ANI