Chairperson of UCPN (Maoist) and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" returned Nepal from Indian visit on Tuesday, receiving suggestions from Indian leadership that Nepal should embrace federalism only after fixing its criteria first.

"India understands that Nepal has already decided to go for a federal structure. But, what should be the basis for that, it has to be clear," Prachanda told journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport after completing his four-day visit to India from April 27 to 30.

Indian leaders shared experience and bitterness of adopting federalism when the country, the then British colony, became independent in 1947.

India's key basis for federalism was language, while Nepal should also come up with some basis for federating the country, not necessarily language again, Prachanda quoted Indian leaders as saying.

On election, Indian leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were of the view that it is highly crucial to hold election by November this year.

"I found a common view among all leaders that Nepal should conduct the legislative election soon. Leaders were supportive of Nepal's political parties' bid for consensus and election," Prachanda said, indicating towards the formation of an interim election government.

Speaking about the outcome of the visit, he said the visit focused on maintaining cordial relations and reestablishing mutual trust between the two countries. "The visit was fruitful in addressing communication gap and confusion between us. It has created a new environment of trust between Nepal and India," the former Nepali prime minister said.

During his India visit, Prachanda met with Indian prime minister, foreign affairs minister and other key Indian leaders.

Prachanda was the first South Asian leader to visit China after Chinese President Xi Jinping assumed power in March.

On tripartite understanding between China, Nepal and India, which agenda the Maoist chairperson raised during his China visit on April 14-20, he said such a tripartite agreement is a vision and many things are yet to be done to realize it. "I agree that it cannot be implemented right now. It is a concept for future. Under this, China and India can jointly invest in, for example, Nepal's hydropower sector along with developing Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha," Prachanda said, adding that a lot of homework is required to finalize the details.

Making it clear whether he received any common message from India and China, the Maoist leader said, "Both China and India want political stability and economic prosperity in Nepal."

"I communicated the message that only a strong and prosperous Nepal can safeguard the concerns of its neighbors," Prachanda said. Endi

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