Processing .....please wait.. 
The article has been forwarded.... 
News >> >>
India to support Nepal
By agencies
|
Wednesday, 26 April 2006, 19:30 IST
NEW DELHI:Nepal King Gyanendra's decision to revive Parliament in Nepal has been welcomed by India, which is now turning its focus on bringing back the Himalayan kingdom to normalcy.
After the cabinet committee on political affairs meeting today, Union Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee issued a statement, welcoming the development in Nepal towards the restoration of multi-party democracy and handing over of political power to the representative of the people.
The unrest in the Himalayan kingdom has adversely affected the economic situation of the country.
Suggesting India was planning economic packages and financial aid for the country, Mukherjee said, "We are conscious of the challenges lying ahead for Nepal as it embarks on the journey towards restoring political stability, achieving economic recovery and finding a peaceful solution to the armed conflict."
As a close friend and neighbor, he said, India had stood by the people of Nepal and is now ready to render "unstinted support to the people of Nepal in whatever manner they wish," he added.
The decision of the seven-party alliance (SPA) that has spearheaded the pro-democracy movement, which has forced the King to yield, has been welcomed in official circles in New Delhi.
New Delhi, in fact, wants the Maoists to join the political mainstream and participate in Parliamentary elections after giving up violence.
As for the King, India sees a ceremonial role for him because a Constitutional monarchy would add to political stability in Nepal. Whether Gyanendra would be able to stay on as a ceremonial Head of State depended on his own conduct over the coming weeks.
There are reports that the King was contemplating imposing emergency and using force to deal with street demonstrators last week. India stepped in quietly to tell him that such a course would be disastrous.
National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, traveling with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Germany, said in Berlin last night, "Finally, perhaps the King has seen the errors of his ways because he has already gone on air to announce his willingness to restore Parliament".