India raises alarm, says it’s a setback to democracy
Reuters
Posted online: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 at 1626 hours IST
Updated: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 at 1637 hours IST
New Delhi, February 1: Nepali King Gyanendra's decision to sack the government and assume power was a setback to democracy and would benefit Maoist rebels fighting against the monarchy, India said on Tuesday.
New Delhi's criticism came hours after Gyanendra fired Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, declared a state of emergency and assumed power saying the leadership had failed to hold elections or restore peace shattered by an increasingly violent Maoist revolt.
"These developments constitute a serious setback to the cause of democracy in Nepal and cannot but be a cause of grave concern to India," an Indian foreign ministry statement said.
"The latest developments in Nepal bring the monarchy and the mainstream political parties in direct confrontation with each other," it said.
"This can only benefit the forces that not only wish to undermine democracy but the institution of monarchy as well," it said referring to the Maoists who have been fighting since 1996 to topple the monarchy and establish Communist rule.
India is Nepal's largest trading partner and the two countries have strong religious and cultural links. They also share an open border and tens of thousands of poor Nepalis work in India.
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=41473
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