Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday held a "fruitful" meeting with Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda, during which they discussed the ongoing political process in the Himalayan nation and agreed to expedite the repair work on the Kosi barrage.

Mukherjee, who met the Maoist chief Prachanda for the third time in as many months described the meeting as "very productive" and "fruitful", Prime Minister's Special Adviser Hira Bahadur Thapa said.

The meeting which continued for about 40 minutes also saw Mukherjee expressing India's commitment to help Nepal bring the political process to a logical end "in whatever way to Nepal's wants".

Advocating the establishment of political consensus to resolve the contentious issues in Nepal, Mukherjee said all political parties should be involved in the process of drafting of the Constitution.

Thapa said it was decided that work will be expedited on the repair of the Kosi barrage, whose breakdown had caused widespread floods on both sides of the border earlier this year.

"Repair work will be completed by March 2009 and the Kosi river will be brought to its original course," Thapa said.