Thapa calls on Singh
Former Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa called on Indian Foreign
Minister K Natwar Singh on Friday and exchanged views on the Nepal
situation.
Thapa’s 10-day visit to India is the second high profile visit by a former premier from Nepal. A fortnight ago, Girija Prasad Koirala had visited New Delhi for consultations.
ANI, an Indian news agency, quoted what it called informed sources as saying that Thapa’s tour was aimed at bringing a rapprochement between King Gyanendra of Nepal and opposition parties using India’s help.
After his meeting with Singh, Thapa said that the Indian Government continues to be concerned over the situation prevailing in Nepal and has advocated restoration of democracy at the earliest.
“Seeing the situation in Nepal, India expressed concern over it, and wants the situation to improve at the earliest,” Thapa told reporters in New Delhi.
Thapa, however, said he could not put any timeframe on the restoration of democracy in his country.
“It is necessary and will surely be there,” he added.
Thapa is likely to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, and a host of other leaders during his visit and is expected to convince New Delhi to pressurise the agitating opposition parties to come to an understanding with the King. He believes that this rapproachment will facilitate parliamentary elections in the landlocked nation.
Thapa, an octogenarian, has been prime minister of Nepal on six different occasions. He is primarily in India for a medical check up, the news report said. nepalnews.com by July 02 05
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