Former Foreign Secretary of India,Shyam Saran,arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs special envoy to explore how India can contribute to the ongoing constitution-drafting process in Nepal. Sarans visit comes at a time when Nepal is passing through the worst political crisis. The Prime Minister has sent me as his special envoy. My role will be to meet all political leaders and help them reach a consensus to write the constitution and complete the peace process. India has great interest in Nepals political stability and economic prosperity and we will make all possible efforts to contribute to that, Saran said. Soon after his arrival,Saran the man credited with getting the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M) to call off its armed insurgency swung into action with a high-level meeting with Nepal President Rambaran Yadav. During his two-day stay in Nepal,Saran is expected to meet caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Nepal,Nepali Congress leaders Sushil Koirala,Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudel,Maoist chief Prachanda and top leaders of the United Democratic Madheshi front. It was a courtesy call,and issues of bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting, President press advisor Rajendra Dahal told The Indian Express. Saran expressed Indias concern indirectly on the failure of the Constituent Assembly to elect a new leader in the past one month,following resignation of Madhav Nepal from the Prime Ministers post. He said India was keen on Nepals political stability. The Maoists sensed that Saran,given his cordial contacts with the Front constituents,may motivate them against the party. We want a relation based on equality and mutual respect with India,but will in no way want India to interfere in out internal affairs, said Narayankaji Shrestha Prakash of Sarans visit.
