Reminding India and the EU about the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a sovereign country, Nepal on Thursday said that the India-EU Joint Statement has “hurt” the sentiments of the Nepali people by emphasising the “need for inclusive constitutional settlement” in Nepal.

“The Constitution making and its promulgation are essentially internal matters of a country. Nepal has now moved along the path of political stability and economic development. Against this backdrop, the EU-India Joint Statement not only hurts the sentiments of the people of Nepal but also defies the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of a country in breach of the U.N. Charter and norms of international law,” a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal said on Thursday.

The India-EU Joint Statement issued after the 13th India-EU Summit of March 30 urged Nepal to complete the process of building an “inclusive constitution” in a “time bound manner”. However, the Joint Statement also refers to the political process of Maldives but Male has not responded on finding mention in the Joint Statement.

“The Constitution fully accommodates the aspirations of the people of Nepal. The promulgation of the constitution formally concludes the nationally-driven peace process initiatied in 2006 and institutionalises significant democratic gains including federal and republican system”, the release said.