Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the Indian government is positive about releasing Maoist leaders detained at Indian jails.

Talking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival from his India visit, the Deputy Premier said, “I have requested the Indian government to release the Maoist leaders. India is positive. The Indian leaders, however, said there are legal problems in setting them free.”

Two senior Maoist leaders Mohan Baidya a. k. a. Kiran and CP Gajurel a. k. a. Comrade Gaurav along with other Maoist cadres are languishing in Indian jails.

Though Nepal government took back all the charges against Maoist leaders following the new political development of the country, the Indian government is yet to take any decision for the release of Maoist leaders.

Maoist chairman Prachanda during his meeting with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiva Shankar Mukharjee also requested for the release of Maoist leaders.

Oli also informed that the Indian government has shown enthusiasm to support Nepal in the development of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Business, Agricultural and Water resources sectors.

Oli further informed that necessary steps have been taken to renew the Nepal-India commerce treaty.

DPM Oli met with the Indian Prime Minister, Minister for External Affairs, Secretary of External Affairs, opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani, General Secretary of the Indian Communist Party-Marxists Prakash Karat, General Secretary of the Indian Communist Party A.B. Bardhan, and leaders of political parties and various intellectuals.

Oli had to cut short his week-long India visit following political developments in the country.