New Delhi, Apr 22: Apparently stung by criticism of
its handling of the Nepal crisis, India tonight said it was
on the side of democratic forces and would welcome Maoists
coming to the negotiating table.
It also said it was for the people of Nepal to choose the
roadmap for ushering in democracy and wanted Maoists to
abandon violence.
"If negotiations to bring Maoists (to the table) are
undertaken on the basis of principles of multi-party democracy
and abandonment of violence, it should be welcomed," Foreign
Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters here.
The briefing came hours after the seven-party alliance
in Nepal rejected the king's offer to transfer executive
power to the people, naming of a Prime Minister by them and
elections.
He expressed serious concern at the rapidly deteriorating
situation and disruption of essential supplies
in Kathmandu and other parts of the Himalayan nation.
Maintaining that India had "consistently supported" the
restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal, Saran said New
Delhi had earlier suspended arms supplies to the country which
still "remains in force".
"This has been our consistent approach .... Now it is for
political parties to decide what their future should be," he
said adding New Delhi was not in a position to prescribe what
was best for the people of Nepal.
"We have seen the press release issued by the seven-
party alliance (SPA) in which they have reiterated their
agenda. We support the restoration of peace and multi-party
democracy as that is the need of the hour. The sentiments of
the people of Nepal have to be respected," he said.
To questions on Maoists, saran said: "No military solution
is possible. We need to have a political solution" and the
Maoists should accept multi-party democracy and abandon
violence.
As a neighbour, the Foreign Secretary said, India always
wished that peace and prosperity prevailed in Nepal "because
stability is in the best interest of India and democracy is
the best guarantee for such stability".
Observing that the situation in the Himalayan nation was
being constantly monitored, the Foreign Secretary said long
queues of cargo vessels and tankers were in place on the
Indian side of the border.
"Grave hardship is being faced by the people. As soon as
conditions permit, we will like to resume the movement of
cargo .... Our endeavour will be to see that the people do not
suffer," he said.
Replying to questions about criticism from some quarters
on New Delhi's handling of the situation, Saran said: "Certain
elements have tried to deliberately distort our intentions ...
There is no question of our siding with one side or the other.
We are firmly on the side of democratic forces and peace. And
there should be no ambiguity about it and this lie should
be nailed."
He said the principle on which India was working was
that power should be handed over to the people of Nepal and
"the king appeared to have conceded that. However, the people
of Nepal should decide what their future should be."
Bureau Report