Nepal Maoist leaders in secret talks with officials By Neena Gopal, Foreign Editor Dubai: In a dramatic break with past policy, India is holding top-level secret talks with senior Maoist leaders from Nepal. Three leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, including legendary commander Baburam Bhattarai, are in Delhi this week. They have met key intelligence officials as well as Prakash Karat and A.B. Bardhan, the two chiefs of the Communist Party of India Marxist and the Communist Party of India. "This is the first time India is holding face to face talks with the Maoists," said an associate of Bhattarai. A Maoist website said only a fortnight ago that he had been thrown out of the party. His associate, however, said he had been reinstated. Together with Commander Mahara and Kishan Paykural, the trio have been tasked by Maoist leader Prachanda to begin negotiations in secret with India as well as leaders of Nepal's mainstream opposition. Seven parties agreed last week to form a united front to restore democracy and a full-fledged parliament three months after King Gyanendra sacked the government in a constitutional coup. Senior Indian Government officials, however, refuse to confirm or deny such talks were under way.