Nepal?s move surprises India: Reports His Majesty King Gyanendra (File Photo) A surprise attempt by Nepal to link China?s application for observer status in SAARC with Afghanistan?s case of membership has put a question mark on the latter?s case, Indian media reports said Sunday. Afghanistan?s inclusion was almost decided when Nepal sprang the surprise. At the ministerial meet, which went on till late Friday, Kathmandu said it saw Afghanistan?s membership and China?s quest for an observer status as ??related issues,?? Indian Express newspaper reported. At this point, Bangladesh suggested that India and Nepal resolve their differences. The Indian delegation took exception to this, saying it stood by the consensus that was emerging on including Afghanistan, the daily reported. Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh (File Photo) On China, however, India said there was no precedent of an observer or a dialogue partner. Instead India suggested that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation be reached with China. This did not change Nepal?s position. King Gyanendra, in his address, did not raise the issue but offered to make Nepal a ??transit point?? between India and China, the newspaper reported said. The Hindu, another influential newspaper, even asked, ?Has Nepal been put up by Pakistan to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the ongoing Dhaka summit?? Nepal was initially supportive of Afghanistan's application, but suddenly linked the issue to China's proposal of obtaining dialogue partner/observer status in SAARC, the news report said. Nepal, in fact, did not agree with a proposal made by several delegations that SAARC sign a memorandum of association with China while admitting Afghanistan as a member. Though Pakistani officials have publicly stated their support for Afghanistan's entry, diplomats believe that Islamabad is not really keen on Kabul's entry, the news report claimed. Unable to reach an agreement at the level of Foreign Ministers, the issue of Afghanistan's entry has now made its way to the leadership level ? heads of government could now discuss it during their retreat on Sunday. According to the diplomats, one of the positive outcomes of the Dhaka summit would have been the entry of Afghanistan into SAARC, but this seems to be an issue that depends on the approach that King Gyanendra chooses to adopt. They said Nepal insisted on linking Afghanistan's entry into SAARC with China becoming a dialogue partner, according to the news report. Indian Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, told reporters in Dhaka Saturday that India favours China?s association with SAARC but not as a dialogue partner or observer. ?We welcome China to be associated with SAARC but in a mutually beneficial manner,? reports quoted Saran as saying. However, it would appear that India is now prepared for China associating with SAARC as a dialogue partner early next year, The Hindu reported. Meanwhile, reports said Nepalese monarch is expected to meet Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Dhaka Sunday morning. The two leaders had earlier met in Jakarta on the sidelines of the non-aligned movement?s summit meeting early this year. nepalnews.com by Nov 13 05 Related News - 13th SAARC summit to kick off today; King starts consultation Refer this page Advertisement Hearing on constitutionality of RCCC resumes NGO Federation calls emergency national meet 42 Maoists surrender in Birganj SAARC summit concludes in Dhaka Nepal King assures he would return to democracy: Indian PM ?Tiger Karts Tourism Cup 2005 held? Gold price posts highest ever growth Export of Nepalese Garment plunges by 39 percent Lawyers organize sit-in at SC premises Nepse posts 0.56 points growth Singapore, Hong Kong, Afghanistan set hopes to enter quarter finals of ACC U-19 Cup Govt. warns not to defy Media Ordinance UML General Secy returns home; rules out talks with Maoists Polls irrelevant in present situation: former CJ Nepal?s move surprises India: Reports EU expresses concerns about restrictions on Nepali media Casualties due to landmines have reduced substantially: NCBL Activists call for reducing discrimination to resolve conflicts Nepal-India border sealed ahead of Bihar polls NBI to facilitate private sector's role in peace-building efforts Full Text Of His Majesty King Gyanendra's address to the 13th SAARC Summit Picture Archive News Archive Publication Headlines There Is No Option Other Than The Middle Way People Power NEPAL In Transit