NEPAL MAOIST AND INDIA BHAI-BHAI, SAYS SHARMA
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2011/apr/apr19/news16.php
United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) [UCPN-M] spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma has said his party is in favor of further improving the already ‘cordial ties’ with India.
Denying that the party’s relationship with India is at an all time low, especially as Maoists further up the ante against India by protesting against New Delhi’ representative in Kathmandu and demanding review of all hydropower projects involving India, Sharma said at an interaction held in the capital Tuesday that the party’s relationship with India and Indians has always been good and that the party wants to further improve the existing cordial relationship. He claimed that his party was never against India but is only against its interventionist policy vis-à-vis Nepal.
The remark of the Maoist leader has come a day before Indian foreign minister S M Krishna is set to arrive in Kathmandu on a four-day visit to take stock of the situation in Nepal.
Stating that India’s support is necessary for peace and constitution, the Maoist spokesperson said that Indian concern about halted peace process and deepening political problem in Nepal is natural and is a result of the
southern neighbor’s feeling of goodwill for the country.
Sharma further said that Maoist party chairman will take appropriate steps to further improve ties with India during the Indian foreign minister’s visit.
During his visit, Krishna is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal including senior leaders of all the major political parties.
The India foreign minister is also likely to formally invite Khanal to visit India during the visit.