NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government has decided to support Nepal’s King Gyanendra unconditionally. No effort has been made to pin him down on the release of political prisoners, lifting of censorship on the media, and a specific roadmap for a return to democracy.
Instead, a decision has been taken at the highest level to release the consignment of military supplies as a first step towards renewing close military ties between the two countries. The Left parties, whose members had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, were unable to extract an assurance that the government would at least ensure a return to democracy within a specific timeframe in Nepal before restoring military ties.
It was instead made clear to the Left delegation by Dr Singh, accompanied by minister of external affairs K. Natwar Singh and defence minister Pranab Mukherjee, that India had been left with no option but to renew ties with King Gyanendra to ensure that the neighbouring country did not do military or other business with countries like China.
New Delhi is now worried about encouraging a military alliance between Nepal and others nations in the vicinity.
The Maoist problem has also come home to roost, with the government now concerned about the possible targeting by Maoists of Gurkha units in the Indian Army. The fear is that Gurkha soldiers, who have always been regarded with great respect in the Indian Army, could become susceptible to Maoist influences.
The Left leaders, at the meeting on Monday evening, put forth their point of view forcefully, maintaining that it was imperative for India to strengthen democratic forces in Nepal. Sources said that while their arguments were listened to, these were clearly not in line with the changed government policy. It was made apparent to the delegation that the government had no choice but to renew the military relations, and at present had cleared the first consignment of military supplies that had been held up because of the initial Indian decision not to support the monarch.
The sources said the government had been asked to explain what changes in the ground situation had led to the reversal of policy. “But there was no convincing answer, except for the fact that other nations would take advantage if India continued to maintain a distance from the King,” the sources added, wondering at the absence of policy.
The meeting between Dr Singh and King Gyanendra at the Indonesia summit was supposed to be “secret,” in that both had reportedly agreed not to reveal details of the interaction to the media. King Gyanendra, who had sought the meeting, emerged triumphant and let it be known that India had not only decided to accept the legitimacy of his rule but to restore military relations as well.
The Indian government, in a bid at damage control, organized the high-level meeting with the Left parties, but the discussions did not bridge the gap in perception. “We are not convinced at all” that the government has valid reasons for embracing the monarchy, was the consensus of the leaders of all four Left parties after the meeting.
This was further strengthened by news from Nepal of a police raid on the condolence meeting organized by supporters and friends to commemorate the death of the wife of the late political leader Manmohan Adhikari.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the incident, adding: “The UPA government should take note of the ground realities in Nepal before taking any step which will strengthen the authoritarian rule of the King.”—By arrangement with AsianAge/Delhi
