India ready to review India-Nepal Friendship Treaty: Modi

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was ready to consider suggestions if any to review the 1950 India-Nepal Friendship Treaty that governs the relationship between the two countries.

"My doors are open, I invite you to bring any suggestions to review the 1950 Treaty, if you so want," he said at a banquet hosted by Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

There have been demands lately for reviewing the treaty and both sides have been reiterating their readiness to do so without any progress. Some sections in Nepal have been critical of this treaty, arguing that it is not in the

interest of Nepal.

Modi also spoke about the process of constitution-making in Nepal, saying it is moving forward.

Asserting that the constitution is not merely a book but it integrates the past, present and the future, Modi said, "Nepal has to be taken to new heights and we are ready to support you as a neighbour."

He said not only people of Nepal but also those who believe in the power of democracy are looking at Nepal and its Constituent Assembly.

Praising Nepal's tryst with democracy, the Prime Minister said it highlights the preference given to "ballot over the bullet".

"Our only wish is that Nepal's progress reaches as high as the Himalayas," he said, adding that "Being your neighbour and seeing our experience as a democracy we feel happy at the direction in which you are going."

Earlier, Modi gifted 'Samvidhan -- The making of the Constitution of India' to the Chairman of Nepal's Constituent Assembly.

"I also felt that Nepal is moving ahead on the path of development with new hope and energy, the Prime Minister said at the end of his first day's engagement here during which he held talks with Koirala and addressed the Constituent

Assembly.

Modi, who was accorded a rousing welcome here, also made a mention of that.

"Today, the people of Nepal have shown how much love they have for me and the people of India. At many places in Kathmandu, people received me with such warmth, it shows the affection they have for the people of India," he said.