A delegation of Indian political leaders has arrived in Kathmandu Sunday at the invitation of the Maoist leadership.

While in Kathmandu, the four-member delegation headed by Janata Dal (United) leader and chairman of Indo-Nepal Parliamentary Forum, Sarad Yadav, will share views with leaders of different parties on various dimensions of Nepali and Indian politics.

Talking to journalists in New Delhi before flying to Kathmandu, Yadav said his team would urge Nepali leaders to draft the new constitution on consensus.

Reports said the delegation had received the go-ahead from South Block, the seat of Indian PM's office and foreign and defense ministries. The team members had held an extensive meeting with Indian foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon before setting off for Nepal.

During the two-day stay, Yadav's team will hold separate meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, UML general secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, coordinator of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Upendra Yadav and Nepali Congress president and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The Indian leaders are also expected to forward Indian premier Dr Manmohan Singh's invitation to PM Dahal for a visit to India. nepalnews.com mk Aug 17 08