Natwar talks common agenda with Koirala

Sources said all check posts have reported one-and-a-half times increase in the number of Nepalese crossing into India which has New Delhi worried. The view here is that Nepal King Gyanendra has not been able to provide a credible alternative to dealing with the Maoists after he assumed power in February.

While India has decided to release military aid in the pipeline to Kathmandu, officials said the King must realise that there cannot be a military solution to the Maoist problem. It is important that some dialogue be initiated with various political factions, including the Maoists and in this context, the common agenda drafted by the seven political parties is an encouraging sign.

Singh conveyed India’s strong support to Koirala for all efforts aimed at restoring multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy in Nepal. He reiterated India’s views that multi-dimensional and complex challenges facing Nepal can only be addressed by forging a broad national consensus on an eventual political settlement.

Koirala felt the common agenda provided a roadmap for such a settlement. Singh welcomed the inititiave and agreed it was a good basis for dialogue.

Koirala had expressed reservations at India’s military aid to Nepal during his meeting with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday. He made this point again yesterday during talks with former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.