Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured his Nepali counterpart Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ of “all possible help” in organising the three-phase election — covering covering local, provincial and central levels — that will begin in the Himalayan country on May 14.

The PM’s statement, which indicates a softening of official policy towards Nepal’s democratic process, came two days after Madhesi agitators agreed to participate in the elections though their demand of redrawing provincial boundaries before proceeding with the polls was not met. The breakthrough was achieved after two days of consultations between the Madhesis and the government.

This comes after Mr. Dahal received a financial package from Beijing.