No need for India to change its stand

India has once again reminded Nepal that King Gyanendra and the political parties there must join hands to deal with the multiple problems the country is faced with, including the threat from the Maoists. This is in the interest of both the King and the people of Nepal. India cannot resume its military supplies to Nepal unless the democratic process, suspended since February 1, is revived. However, there is no hope of the King acting on these lines immediately. This inference can be drawn from the statements of Nepalese Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, who met his Indian counterpart K Natwar Singh and others in New Delhi last week. He continued to insist that the King's decisions were unavoidable under the circumstances.

There is the view that the Maoists' growing links with the Naxalites in India and Pakistan's offer of military aid to King Gyanendra's regime would make India review its stand on the Nepalese situation. It is argued that India cannot afford to persist with a stand which indirectly goes in favour of the Maoist drive to take over the administration in Nepal. But the argument applies to King Gyanendra also, whose anti-democratic action has only helped the insurgents. He cannot continue his fight against the Maoist menace without the cooperation of the people's elected representatives or of the Indian government. Actually, it is the King who needs to change the course he has taken to stop the Maoists in their tracks.

An end to the suppression of the democratic forces will obviously result in India reviving its military and other supplies to Nepal. The US and the UK, which have withdrawn their envoys from Kathmandu, may also reverse their decision. This will lead to an environment in which the Maoists cannot feel emboldened. The earlier King Gyanendra has another look at his policy, the better it will be for his country.