At a time when Nepal is close to finalizing a new constitution to end the political stalemate, UCPN Maoist chair Prachanda will visit India from July 14 to 18 at the invitation from the government of India

“However, the details of the visit and his program in India are yet to be made public. Prachanda's visit also assumes significance with his stance towards India softening in recent years. He had earlier frequently engaged in bitter attacks on India and accused New Delhi of interfering in Nepal's affairs and "dictating" to its leadership,” reports Indian news agency Press Trust of India.

Four major political parties -- Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, UCPN-Maoist and Madhesi Peoples Forum Democratic -- that command 90 per cent majority in the 601-member Constituent Assembly have reached a 16-point deal to settle contentious issues of Constitution-drafting.

The first draft of the Constitution was presented at the Constituent Assembly last week and discussions over it are ongoing.  The draft Constitution will then be published in the Nepal Gazette which will be discussed by the people before its promulgation.

However, some Madhesi parties and fringe parties are opposing the process, saying the proposed Constitution has failed to address their issues.

On Friday, top leaders of Madhesi parties met Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae and discussed various issues, including Constitution-drafting.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was here last month for the international donors conference, had met the entire spectrum of Nepalese leadership, including Prachanda.

She had encouraged the leaders to finalise the long- pending drafting of the Constitution at the earliest to take the country on a new path of development.