KOL Report

KATHMANDU, May 9 - India for the first time appears to be reconsidering its policy towards Maoist insurgents in Nepal after almost nine years by seriously thinking of opening a channel of communications with the Maoists, according to Indian Online news media ? The Telegaraph? Monday.

India believes that there can be no military solution to the Maoist problem in Nepal and the king as well as the democratic forces will have to find a political settlement with the armed rebels through a negotiated settlement, wrote Pranay Sharma in the Telegraph.

India?s rethink in its policy towards the Maoists comes at a time, when King Gyanendra after his royal proclamation on Feb 1, clearly showed to Delhi and the World, that he would not wilt before any diplomatic pressures for the restoration of democracy in the country.

In the past, India has been training and supplying arms to Royal Nepal Army. However, it suspended all military assistance to Nepal, after the King declared a state of emergency and deposed Deuba government.

The King, after his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh, in Jakarta had claimed that India was ready, to resume military assistance to Nepal.

However, India later said, it would resume arms supply ? in the proper perspective? before Delhi can decide on it. (hb)

~Kantipuronline.com