Federal Democratic Republic constitution through the people-elected highly representative body– Constituent Assembly (CA) but India refrains from applauding the arduous effort. In an apparent apprehension, India rather went to the extent of imposing unannounced trade embargo restricting flow of essential goods and services to landlocked Nepal from Indian border points. The meticulous efforts of Nepal in charting out a new era of nation-state building saw a stumbling block when the southern neighbor demonstrated uncanny gesture of diplomacy. The promulgation of constitution was an epochal achievement for Nepal and Nepali people to validate the hard-earned paradigm-shift from unitary to federal and monarchy to republican state. This of course is a moment of illumination and celebration for sovereign Nepali since it heralds a new dawn of political system institutionalizing achievements marked with republicanism, federalism, secularism, pluralism and inclusiveness after ending protracted transition that cost much to the country. The new constitution was endorsed by an overwhelming majority with 507 out of 598 members of the Constituent Assembly voting in favour, 25 voted against and 66 abstained in a vote. It has showcased a glaring success of CA to the rest of the world to get new constitution framed and promulgated through a participatory process. However, there is some dissatisfaction manifested in the form of widespread violence in the southern plain of Nepal which has drawn India’s concern citing that unrest on Nepal-India border poses serious threat to its territory.
