NEW DELHI, Feb 1: The Indian government voiced "grave concern" Tuesday after King Gyanendra sacked the government and declared a state of emergency in neighbouring Nepal.
"These developments constitute a serious setback to the cause of democracy in Nepal and cannot but be a cause of grave concern to India," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The safety and welfare of the political leaders must be ensured and political parties must be allowed to exercise all the rights enjoyed by them under the Constitution," the ministry said after reports of senior politicians being put under house arrest.
"India has consistently supported multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy enshrined in Nepal's Constitution as the two pillars of political stability in Nepal. This principle has now been violated with the King forming a government under his Chairmanship," it said.
"The latest developments in Nepal bring the monarchy and the mainstream political parties in direct confrontation with each other. "This can only benefit the forces that not only wish to undermine democracy but the institution of monarchy as well."
The king announced he was taking over in a televised nation wide address, accusing the government of failing to impose security in the face of a Maoist rebellion and failing to hold elections.
State radio and television announced a state of emergency across the country, suspending all fundamental rights of citizens. The Indian statement said: "We will continue to support the restoration of political stability and economic prosperity in Nepal, a process which requires reliance on the forces of democracy and the support of the people of Nepal."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had been scheduled to meet sacked Nepalese prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba at a regional summit in Dhaka next week. India's powerful security cabinet held a special meeting and airlines suspended flights to Kathmandu. Security was stepped up at border crossings into the Himalayan kingdom.
One flight of Air Sahara was not allowed to land in Kathmandu and had to turn back Tuesday morning. "It had to turn back because of the situation in Nepal," said airline spokeswoman Neeta Raina.
State-run Indian Airlines cancelled two flights to Nepal while private carrier Jet Airways was also ordered to scrap its daily flight. Thai Airways International suspended its flights to and from Kathmandu.
However a Royal Nepal Airlines flight arrived in New Delhi late Tuesday afternoon and was scheduled to return to Kathmandu in the evening. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said flights to Kathmandu would resume only after Nepal reassures New Delhi on safety aspects.
The Indian states of Bihar and West Bengal stepped up security at border crossings but said traffic was being allowed through. West Bengal took similar precautions after King Gyanendra's announcement.
India's largest international telecom provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam said its links with Nepal were working but calls between India and Kathmandu remained difficult. -AFP
