Kathmandu: The stage is set presumably for a big fight in between the United States of America and the Nepali insurgents, the Maoists.

It could be a mere conjecture indeed but the fact is that around the time when United States Ambassador James F. Moriarty while addressing a Nepal Council of World Affairs gathering, September 10, at Hotel Shanker was saying that “my country would not tolerate any attack either on our citizens or on our institutions in Nepal and that it would do the needful”, a powerful gelatin rocked the American Center in Gyaneshwar.

However, who or which group hurled the bomb inside the center is yet unknown but then sources close to Police say that it could have been the act of the Maoists. The Maoists have yet to take the responsibilities for the attack on the American institution that simply caters to the information to the needy ones, for example, the students, scholars and journalists, regarding the US.

Surely this sad incident has made the American officials in Kathmandu more alert and active as well and how the United States of America retaliates to this event will have to be watched.

However, the manner the US Ambassador, Moriarty, managed an additional security aid to this country does hint that the US will not settle for less come what may.

The US apparently has changed its posture instantly and presumably is thinking on the lines on how to force the Maoists to come to the terms of the Nepali establishment.

To recall, the Americans take such incidents as an affront on their national prestige and plan measures to retaliate in an equally forceful manner against the perpetrators who dare to challenge their might.

The Nepali establishment suddenly became active and Deuba, that time in Delhi, talked to the American envoy and assured the latter that every thing would be done to protect the Americans and their institutions in Kathmandu. Add to this, the European Union members too deplored the unfortunate event of 10 September at the American center which went to the extent in saying that “these attacks represent a serious new development in Maoist tactics and a highly unwelcome direct involvement of the Kathmandu diplomatic community in the Nepali conflict”.

This particular statement from the EU now clearly implies that there has been a sort of belated realization among the members of the European community that if it were the US institutions the target of attack of the Maoists, the next day it could be them as well.

The US which lamented in the past that it was a tragedy that the EU members had taken a different path vis-à-vis the Maoists issue now has reasons to be happy that, better late than never, the friends from the EU have come to the same wavelength where the US found itself alone for more than two years or so.

That the US now is all set to step up its volume of assistance to this country gets reflected from their fresh assertion wherein it says, “Friday’s attack would only serve to increase American support for the efforts of the government of Nepal to find a peaceful solution to the insurgency”.

A close look at this statement does indicate two things: firstly, it hints that it would increase US assistance to Nepal to make the latter able to face the Maoists challenge on its own; and secondly, the statement also indicates that the US will still wish a peaceful solution to the Maoists imbroglio.

Nevertheless, the promptness with which the US Embassy has asked for a $ 1million extra money for Nepal does clearly speak that the US has taken the attack on its institution in a very bad taste. If it is so then what could also be concluded is that the Nepali establishment will acquire a somewhat tough position vis-à-vis the insurgents in the days ahead but keeping the options for the talks open.

The hectic diplomatic efforts initiated by US officials of late appear to have worked. Finally, the Indian authorities have become convinced that in sorting out the Maoists issue they have a tremendous role and this is what the US side had been ventilating through various channels since a year or so. Better late than never, the authorities in Delhi have realized this fact and have apparently hinted that they will do every thing that they can in this regard.

Significant is Ambassador Moriarty’s admission September 10, that a few days back he was in Delhi wherein he found the Indian leaders equally concerned over the Maoists issue of this Himalayan Kingdom.

Should this mean that Washington and Delhi are now in the same wavelength a propos the Nepali insurgents? Will it take a shape of Delhi-Washington nexus?

Analysts say that it is pleasing to note that the US still favored peaceful solution to the overly stretched Maoists imbroglio given the sad incident that took place in its premises on September 10. An annoyed US would have suggested the Nepali establishment to acquire a different posture other than the talks for peace. However, they did not press the establishment for that.