New Delhi
18 September 2007
New Delhi on Tuesday distanced itself from the Maoists's demand
that Nepal should be declared a Republic ahead of the November 22 constituent
assembly election. Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee said that the people of
Nepal must be allowed to choose their own future and the type of government.
New Delhi's terse statement came within hours after the Maoists quit the coalition
government headed by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Four Communist Party of
Nepal (Maoist) ministers resigned enmasse from the interim government, which the
Maoists joined in April under a peace deal that ended the decade-long internal conflict,
after Prime Minister Koirala rejected their demand for the monarchy to be immediately
abolished.
Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee, who issued the statement on his journey
back home from South Korea, said: "These are internal issues of Nepal, to be resolved
by Nepal itself. We would hope that all concerned will implement previous
understandings, that underpin Nepal's peaceful transition, and that differences will be
resolved democratically. The common goal must remain to enable the people of Nepal to
choose their own future and the manner of their governance."
Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon was in Kathmandu only last week. He had told
reporters after calling on Prime Minister Koirala and others that India will support and
assist Nepal's transition to a democratic, inclusive state. He hoped that the election will
be held on November 22 as announced.
Meanwhile, the 11th round of India-China boundary talks are expected to be held in
China from September 24 to 26. Foreign Secretary Menon on Tuesday called on State
Councillor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Beijing. He held
discussions with the Chinese Government on issues of mutual interest to the two
countries. Mr Menon also held discussions with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei. The
discussions covered further steps to improve and consolidate their bilateral relations,
regional and international issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the
discussions were positive, constructive and fruitful.
The last round of boundary talks between National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo was held in New Delhi and Coonoor Nadu in
April this year. Mr Narayanan and Mr Dai are the special representatives for the
boundary talks. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit China later this year
although no dates have been firmed up.
No comments:
Post a Comment