Kathmandu, June 29: Indian President K.R. Narayanan wanted to attend the funeral of King Birendra on June 2, a published report said Friday. The Indian government had put a special aircraft on alert to fly the President to Kathmandu, Nepalese Ambassador Dr. Bhek Bahadur Thapa said in an interview published by weekly newspaper Bimarsha.
Home Minister L.K. Advani, former prime ministers Chandra Shekhar, I.K.Gujral and V.P.Singh also wanted to the attend the funeral, he said. Foreign dignitaries and Kathmandu-based diplomats were not present at the King’s cremation. President V.V. Giri attended the funeral of King Mahendra in 1972.