Expressing hope for early breakthrough in Nepal’s political crisis, India’s special envoy to Nepal, Karan Singh, returned to New Delhi, winding up his two-day visit on Thursday.

Singh had an audience with King Gyanendra at the Narayanhity Royal Palace today after series of meetings with top opposition leaders. He reporters upon his return to Delhi that he hoped that the King would make an announcement very soon.

“I am optimistic. I am hopeful that the King will make an announcement shortly,” agency reports quoted him as saying. He added, “The ball is in the King’s court.” He also said it was for the people of Nepal to take a decision regarding a solution to the political crisis here.

He said during his two-hour long meeting with the King from 11:00 a.m., he put forth the Indian government’s suggestions and handed over Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh’s message to the monarch.

The special envoy further said India was “deeply concerned” over the problems facing the people of Nepal – both economic and political – as well as the general breakdown of law and order.

On Wednesday, Singh held separate discussions with Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and NC (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba. He also met former Prime Minister and chairman of Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP) Surya Bahadur Thapa today.

Indian foreign secretary Shayam Sharan accompanied him during most of the meetings in Kathmandu. Saran, former ambassador to Nepal, had met with Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) chief Pyar Jung Thapa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, issuing a press release after Singh’s meeting with the King, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said, “The Special Envoy has stressed the need for genuine dialogue between the constitutional forces in Nepal, with the objective of urgently restoring multi-party democracy.”

The special envoy will brief Indian PM Singh about his deliberations in Kathmandu, according to reports. nepalnews.com mk Apr 20 06