Kathmandu: Concerned over the situation in
Nepal, India Thursday raised the issue of activities directed against it by Maoists and sought adequate security for its
nationals in this country, including its diplomats.
It also conveyed to the leadership here that it would
like to see "early" completion of Nepal`s peace process and
resolution of all issues through political consensus in the
backdrop of the current stalemate, which has been a matter of
concern to New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who held extensive
talks with the leadership here, expressed India`s commitment
to providing all kinds of assistance to Nepal in its
transition to a stable, inclusive and multi-party democracy,
noting that both countries have common "security concerns".
Apart from being briefed on "internal developments in
Nepal and progress made towards completing the peace process
and drafting of a new Constitution," Krishna was assured by
the Nepalese leadership that they would address all of India`s
security concerns and would not allow Nepalese territory to be
used for any anti-India activity.
They also said they recognised the "crucial importance of
preserving the professional integrity and apolitical nature of
Nepal Army" while integrating the Maoist combatants with it in
line with the Comprehensive Peace Accord.
Nepal government`s assurance comes in the wake of
Maoists` efforts for bulk integration of their Peoples
Liberation Army (PLA) combatants into the national army and
creation of a separate unit for them as part of the
Seven Point Agreement signed between the former rebels and CPN-UML, which is strongly opposed by the Nepali Congress and other democratic parties.
"I conveyed that given the special relations shared by
India and Nepal, India has an abiding interest in developments
in Nepal and remains committed to providing all assistance
that Nepal requires in its transition to a stable, inclusive,
multi-party democracy," said the minister, who held talks with
President Ram Baran Yadav and Premier Jhala Nath Khanal among
others.
During his meetings with the Nepalese leaders, Krishna
also raised the issue of security of Indian diplomats and the
country`s mission here against the backdrop of incidents
targeting Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood and defacing of Indian
national flags by Maoists.
When Sood recently visited Kailali, Gulmi and some other
districts outside Kathmandu to hand over Indian-aided projects
in the fields of education, health and drinking water, local
Maoist cadres waved black flags, shouted anti-India slogans
and tried to disrupt the programmes.
In some places, where various roads and bridges were
constructed under Indian assistance, the Maoists defaced the
Indian national flag.
PTI
