This clearly shows Maoists are puppets of India. Dr Bhattarai hails Indian support; expert underscores empowering national forces Kantipur Report KATHMANDU, Sept 24 - Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai said on Sunday that India played a major role to sign 12-point agreement between the SPA (Seven Party Alliance) and the Maoists. Speaking at a programme organised by Centre for Contemporary Studies, Nepal, Dr Bhattarai said that the 12-point agreement could not have been reached without Indian government's support. Commenting on the SPA's negligence on democratisation of Nepal Army, Dr Bhattarai also made clear that it was the major obstacle to summit talks giving rise to political deadlock in the country. Expressing doubts over the government's recent statements and dilly-dallying on addressing the issues of elections to the constituent assembly, Dr Bhattarai said monarchy in the country is the major hindrance in "state restructuring process". Bhattarai also alleged the international community of advocating monarchy and referred American Ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty's statements as against the spirit of people of Nepal. He argued that unnecessary interference from the international communities have played huge role in obstructing the peace process. Speaking at the same programme, SD Muni, an Indian expert on Nepal, emphasised on empowering national forces of Nepal to keep the international pressure and interference at bay. Muni said that when the national forces in Nepal weaken, the international interference increases and stressed that in Nepal's restructuring process, Nepal's national forces must be strong so as to play a decisive role. Underscoring India's eagerness to assist Nepal in establishing democracy, Muni said other international agencies including UN must support Nepal to give an exit to all the persisting political deadlocks. Posted on: 2006-09-24 04:01:23 (Server Time)