On UNSC seat, India seeks Nepal support

Minister of State for External Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh will leave for Nepal on Thursday for talks on proposed UN reforms—of principal concern is a commitment to support India’s candidature to the Security Council.

South Block officials are concerned that though Nepal has always supported India’s bid, it has been silent about it since February 1 when King Gyanendra assumed power. Nepal did not step forward to co-sponsor the G-4 resolution, but voiced support for Japan.

Singh will underscore the merits of the G-4 resolution during meetings with officials in Kathmandu and try to extract a reaffirmation of Nepal’s commitment. His meeting with the King was still to be firmed up.

Singh will be the first minister to travel to Kathmandu after the King assumed power. While India has resumed non-military aid to Nepal, New Delhi has maintained that Gyanendra needs to take more credible steps towards restoration of democracy.