The visiting Nepalese President is schedule to discuss the political situation with the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday.

“He (Dr Ram Baran Yadav) is the Constitutional Head of State in Nepal. I think that from what I know he has been trying his best to get all the parties together, come back to the table, discuss. The only method that is now left to Nepal to move forward is to have, it seems, a consensual national government for which the contours and the structure has to be worked out by the political parties in Nepal,“ said the Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

He further said : “We do hear what is happening there from time to time. Our Mission reports to us what kind of confabulations have taken place, discussions have taken place, if there has been movement, or there has been a stalemate. We also note that the President has tried to push for a consensus by putting deadlines and there is now another deadline that has been made available.

“But other than to morally support this movement for a consensual national government that can then organize fresh elections, there is not very much that we can do. Every time and every event has its own limitations and its own requirements. We have to respond to the requirements and limitations of the present event rather than go by a standard that was followed in some previous event in which our intervention to the extent possible may have been wholesome and successful. But not always can that be repeated.

“I think right now people are engaged in very meaningful dialogue. We keep track of what is happening in the dialogue to the extent possible. But we would rather that the dialogue itself throw up the consensus that everybody knows - we know and Nepal knows and everybody else knows – that it is very important for future prosperity of our friendly neighbor.”

The President of Nepal Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is on a State visit to India from December 24-29 at the invitation of the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Dr Yadav arrived in Varanasi on December 24 and was called on by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

On December 25 he attended the closing function on the 150th Anniversary celebration of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya at the Banaras Hindu University and was accorded with an Honorary Doctorate from the University.

He is scheduled to meet with the President of India on December 26 and hold delegation level talks with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the same day.

The Vice President of India Hamid Ansari and Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid would also call on the President of Nepal.

On Thursday, the Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Defence Minister AK Antony will call on the Nepalese President.

On Friday Dr Yadav is scheduled to inaugurate a Maithili Play performed by Nepalese artistes here in Delhi. He will depart on Saturday afternoon.

India and Nepal enjoy a special and unique relationship rooted in shared heritage, civilization, culture and extensive people-to-people relations across an open border. It has always been India’s endeavour to support peace, stability and prosperity in Nepal. In this context, India is committed to continue its institutionalised cooperation and development assistance to Nepal.

The visit is in line with the tradition of high-level political exchange between India and Nepal. President Dr. Yadav had been on official visit to India in January/February 2011.