New Delhi, June 24: Nepal`s King Gyanendra arrived here on Sunday on a state visit to India in his first official visit since ascending the throne in June last year. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Vajpayee and President later today. Before his departure for India, Gyanendra said in a statement: "Nepal adopted the policy of developing friendly relations with the nations of the world according to the principles of sovereignty, equality, peace and mutual understanding."

He said the visit would help to further strengthen relations between Nepal and India. The visit comes shortly after rituals were carried out to mark the anniversary of the deaths of 10 members of the royal family on June 1, 2001.

Gyanendra`s brother, king Birendra, and eight other royals were shot down by by the drunken crown prince Dipendra, who then shot himself, leaving Gyanendra the next in line to the throne.

The scheduling of his trip to India reflects the importance of the landlocked kingdom`s ties with its giant neighbor, on which it depends for access to ports. India has pledged military support to Nepal as it battles a Maoist insurgency that has taken on a new intensity since November, when the rebels broke a ceasefire.

King Gyanendra is expected to hold talks in India with an array of officials, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will also visit Calcutta and Assam, where he will pay his respects at a revered temple to the Hindu goddess Kamakhya. While he is away, his son, Crown Prince Paras, will take charge of state affairs.
Bureau Report