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It is for Nepalese to choose roadmap for democracy: India
New Delhi, Apr 22: Apparently stung by criticism of its handling of the Nepal crisis, India tonight said it was on the side of democratic forces and would welcome Maoists coming to the negotiating table.
It also said it was for the people of Nepal to choose the roadmap for ushering in democracy and wanted Maoists to abandon violence.
"If negotiations to bring Maoists (to the table) are undertaken on the basis of principles of multi-party democracy and abandonment of violence, it should be welcomed," Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told reporters here.
The briefing came hours after the seven-party alliance in Nepal rejected the king`s offer to transfer executive power to the people, naming of a Prime Minister by them and elections.
He expressed serious concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation and disruption of essential supplies in Kathmandu and other parts of the Himalayan nation.
Maintaining that India had "consistently supported" the restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal, Saran said New Delhi had earlier suspended arms supplies to the country which still "remains in force".
"This has been our consistent approach .... Now it is for political parties to decide what their future should be," he said adding New Delhi was not in a position to prescribe what was best for the people of Nepal.
"We have seen the press release issued by the seven- party alliance (SPA) in which they have reiterated their agenda. We support the restoration of peace and multi-party democracy as that is the need of the hour. The sentiments of the people of Nepal have to be respected," he said.
To questions on Maoists, Saran said: "No military solution is possible. We need to have a political solution" and the Maoists should accept multi-party democracy and abandon violence.
As a neighbour, the Foreign Secretary said, India always wished that peace and prosperity prevailed in Nepal "because stability is in the best interest of India and democracy is the best guarantee for such stability".
Observing that the situation in the Himalayan nation was being constantly monitored, the Foreign Secretary said long queues of cargo vessels and tankers were in place on the Indian side of the border.
"Grave hardship is being faced by the people. As soon as conditions permit, we will like to resume the movement of cargo .... Our endeavour will be to see that the people do not suffer," he said.
Replying to questions about criticism from some quarters on New Delhi`s handling of the situation, Saran said: "Certain elements have tried to deliberately distort our intentions ... There is no question of our siding with one side or the other. We are firmly on the side of democratic forces and peace. And there should be no ambiguity about it and this lie should be nailed."
He said the principle on which India was working was that power should be handed over to the people of Nepal and "the king appeared to have conceded that. However, the people of Nepal should decide what their future should be."
Bureau Report