India has reiterated its position that it would be in the interest of Nepal and its people, for the King and the political parties to join together on a national platform to unitedly deal with the multiple challenges facing Nepal, including the threat from Maoist insurgency.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ramesh Nath Pandey (File Photo)
During a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister of Nepal, Ramesh Nath Pandey, in New Delhi Monday, Indian External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, said that the events since February, 2005 had only served to demonstrate that not only had the security situation in Nepal not improved, but that the country was now facing a deteriorating economic situation as well. This was likely to be further worsened by decisions of some donor countries to suspend aid to Nepal.

According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry of India, during the meeting, Nepali Foreign Minister explained the reasons why His Majesty King Gyanendra had taken steps to dismiss the multiparty Government, declare emergency, detain political party leaders and impose censorship on the press. He conveyed the King’s assurance that steps are being taken to relax some of these measures in the near future. He also conveyed the King’s commitment to restoring multiparty democracy at the earliest.

Indian Foreign Minister conveyed to the Nepali Foreign Minister India’s disappointment at the measures that were taken post Feb. 1, which, he said, had served to only deepen the crisis facing Nepal. He pointed out that it was not only India, but several other friends of Nepal, which had expressed grave concern over these measures, which could endanger the institution of monarchy itself.

Minister Singh took the opportunity to express India’s concern over the continuing blacking out of several Indian TV news channels by Nepal and also the difficulties being faced by Indian joint ventures in the country. He underlined the importance of lifting restrictions on Indian entities in Nepal at the earliest in the interest of India-Nepal friendship.

Indian Express, a leading Indian newspaper, reported that United Telecom Limited, a joint venture between Nepali and Indian investors worth NRs three billion is finding it difficult to sustain operations after Kathmandu imposed restrictions on its functioning. Several others including ITC Surya Nepal and RP Strips are also facing similar difficulties, the news report said.

Minister Pandey is to return home Wednesday afternoon.