India welcomes Nepal agreement

India on Monday said the 23-point agreement reached among the seven parties to hold elections to Constituent Assembly in Nepal by mid-April 2008 is an 8220;encouraging development in the right direction.8221;

8220;The people8217;s right to elect the Constituent Assembly in a free, fair and fearless manner is the best way to enable the people of Nepal to choose their own future,8221; it said.

8220;We hope that all concerned will work towards maintaining the new deadline for the elections. As always, India stands ready to assist in every possible way for Nepal8217;s transition to a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous state8221;, said the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.