Sood takes up Maoist activities with PM

KATHMANDU, April 14: India has brought up the issue of Maoist protests against Indian joint ventures, extortions in the name of trade unions and waving of black flags against the Indian ambassador in various parts of the country.



During a meeting with Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal at his office at Singha Durbar on Wednesday morning, Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood said such activities on the part of ruling Maoist party could affect the cordial relations subsisting between Nepal and India. The envoy urged the prime minister to check such activities by his coalition partner. [break]



Sources said the prime minister assured the envoy that the government would leave no stone unturned to check activities detrimental to Indian interests. He also said he has talked to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal about India´s concerns.



The Indian embassy here has long been raising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) the issue of black flags being waved at its ambassdor and demanding that such acts be checked by the government. The Maoists have stepped up protests against India following the fall of their government in May, 2009 over the army chief dismissal row, alleging that India was behind their fall from power.



The meeting on Wednesday also dwelled on the upcoming visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna to Nepal. However, no decision was taken as Prime Minister Khanal is yet to appoint a foreign minister. Krishna reportedly wishes to visit Nepal after his counterpart in Nepal is appointed.



Sources said Prime Minister Khanal is keen on visiting India before he leaves for Istanbul, Turkey to take part in the Fourth United Nations Conference on LDCs in May 7. However, the India visit is likely to be delayed as he plans to visit there only after Krishna visits Nepal.



Talking to media, Ambassdor Sood said he held discussions with the prime minister on a range of issues including biltaral trade and cooperation.



The meeting also dwelt on various other issues such as cabinet expansion, the peace process and constitution drafting and Indian assistance to Nepal for various development projects.



According to a press statement issued by the prime minister´s foreign relations advisor, Prime Minister Khanal apprised the envoy of the country´s current political situation. The prime minister expressed confidence that both the peace process and constitution drafting would be completed soon through a broad consensus among major political parties.

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