Tuesday, February 8 2005 17:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A week after seizure of power by King Gyanendra, a development not relished by India, Nepal today (Feb 8, 2005) said it is in the vital interest of both countries to remain "compatible".

Kathmandu also made a renewed appeal to Maoists for talks on "any agenda" while making it clear that threats posed by them would be firmly dealt with.

In a wide-ranging interview to sources in New Delhi, Nepal's Ambassador Karna Dhok Adhikary indicated that Kathmandu was not perturbed over visits to India by some Nepalese political leaders in the wake of the King sacking the Deuba Government and clamping emergency in the Himalayan Kingdom.

"It is in the vital interest of Nepal and India that they are and should remain compatible. Within this concept, any interaction between people of Nepal and India will lead to positive results", he said.

The Nepalese envoy gave a measured response to the strong statement by India on the developments in Kathmandu.

On New Delhi's assessment that the King's action constituted a "serious setback" to democracy, he said on the contrary "all these steps are geared to restore multiparty democracy".

He was of the view that there was need to show greater understanding of the "sensitivities" of the Nepalese people.

On the Maoist problem, he said, "Government of Nepal is ready to discuss any agenda that they (Maoists) bring".