Thursday, February 3 2005 17:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Army Chief Gen J J Singh has turned down an invitation to visit Nepal for discussions with his counterpart there in the wake of seizure of power by the King.

"Such visits are appropriate at an opportune time", a Defence Ministry official said commenting on the invitation forwarded by the Nepalese Army Chief Gen Pyar Jung Thapa.

The invitation was received on Monday (Jan 31, 2005) the day Singh took over, which was also the day when King Gyanendra seized power. The issue figured during his courtesy call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (Feb 2, 2005).

The Army has also held in abeyance the visit to Kathmandu of the Central Army Commander Lt Gen Ram Subramaniam, which was to commence later this week.

The officials said that such visits could only take place when the situation stabilises in the Himalayan Kingdom.