New Delhi
13 December 2005
Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on Tuesday
said India should not be seen as "competing" with China for influencing
developments in Nepal and believed that both Beijing and New Delhi
shared the common "objectives" of peace and stability in the Himalayan
kingdom.
Mr Saran, who was granted an audience by King Gyanendra at
Narayanhiti Palace on Tuesday morning before he concluded his three-
day visit to Kathmandu, said at a media interaction that New Delhi saw a
role for other countries besides China to join the peace efforts in Nepal.
"We would trust that India and China are not seen [as] somehow
competing with each other for any kind of influence in Nepal," Foreign
Secretary Saran said in response to a question about the extent of India's
concern over the 'China card' and the supply of arms by Beijing to
Kathmandu.
In a statement issued separately, he said, "In all my meetings, I have
conveyed that the restoration of peace and stability and economic
recovery in Nepal is not only in the interest of Nepal but also in India's
interest. India stands ready to support all efforts aimed at bringing about
a peaceful resolution to the problems confronting Nepal."
During this visit, Mr Saran said he had "wide-ranging and fruitful
discussions" on a range of issues of mutual interest and concern.
Besides an audience with the King, he had discussions with the two vice
chairmen of the Council of Ministers, the foreign minister, the home
minister and the acting foreign secretary of Nepal.
He met with Nepali Congress (Democratic) Acting President Gopal Man
Shrestha, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepal
Communist Party-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. He also
interacted with Nepal's Chief of the Army Staff General Pyar Jung Thapa
and representatives of the Madheshi community. People of Indian origin
living in Nepal are called Madheshis by the locals.
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