During the "sudden" meeting held at the latter´s residence at Nayabazaar, Kathmandu, Dahal objected to the recent remarks of Indian Army Chief Deepak Kapoor on integration of Maoist combatants in the national army. Kapoor had said that the Maoist army personnel should not be integrated in bulk, according to Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma.
An official at the Indian Embassy said that the details of the meeting were not known since the meeting was not on the cards even until Saturday evening.
The unexpected meeting indicates India´s eagerness to learn what the Maoists exactly want from India, a diplomatic source said. Sood will brief his foreign minister, SM Krishna during his visit to Delhi.
The meeting between Dahal and Sood comes after the Maoist chairman publicly declared to hold talks with only the “master” of political parties here, referring to India.
The declaration has not amused New Delhi, the Indian official added. That controversial remark has been variously defended by Maoists: from being a mere “sarcasm” to asserting that it was a serious call to hold talks with India on “outstanding bilateral issues including unequal treaties”.
Related story
Sonu Sood has competition at home
