Sitaram Yechury, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who played a key role in winning the support of the Indian ruling alliance for the successful people’s movement in Nepal, met with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh ahead of his tour to Kathmandu on Thursday.

Sitaram Yechury

Sitaram Yechury (Photo Source: indianexpress.com)
Yechury discussed the latest political developments in Nepal with Dr Singh, Indian official news agency PTI said. During his two-day tour to Kathmandu likely from Friday, the CPI (M) politburo member will meet with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda and other leaders of the seven-party alliance (SPA).

He also held a meeting with Indian defence minister Pranab Mukherjee today, PTI said, adding that Yechury is likely to “press both sides to take the international community into confidence so that global legitimacy is granted to the future shape of democracy in Nepal”.

Yechury has been the most vocal of Indian leaders in favour of Nepal’s democratic movement and the ongoing peace process. He had visited Kathmandu before and after the successful April Movement.

India has welcomed the recent political developments in Nepal and has increased its economic assistance.

The CPI (M) leader’s visit comes at a time when the Indian political establishment watches the imminent power sharing between the SPA and the Maoists with cautious nervousness. Yechury is considered to be in good terms with both the Maoists and the SPA leaders.