Thursday, February 10 2005 10:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: In the first formal contact with King Gyanendra since he dismissed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Government in Nepal, India yesterday (Feb 9, 2005) conveyed to the monarch the need for return to democracy at the earliest and lifting of all restrictions on political leaders in the country.

The Indian stand was articulated by Ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee who called on the King in Kathmandu saying that New Delhi remained committed to supporting all efforts to bring about political stability and economic recovery in Nepal.

While the King explained the reasons for the recent steps he had taken, Mukherjee conveyed India's position that the monarch's action had brought monarchy and mainstream political parties in direct confrontation with each other and warned it would only benefit forces wanting to undermine democracy in Nepal.

The Ambassador "urged a return to democratic processes at the earliest", according to External Affairs Ministry spokesman in New Delhi.

Mukherjee emphasised the "importance of bringing the political party leaders into a broad national consensus to enable Nepal to overcome the political and economic challenges confronting it. For this, it is necessary to remove all restrictions placed on these leaders since February 1."

The Indian envoy also said that the situation in Nepal is under constant review of the Government.