Monday, February 14 2005 17:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India today (Feb 14, 2005) asked Nepal to reinstate multi-party democracy, restore freedom of the media and take immediate steps for the release of political leaders, journalists and human rights activists.

New Delhi also stressed that efforts should be made in Nepal to evolve a national consensus to address the problems faced by the country.

This was conveyed by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh when the Nepalese Ambassador to India Karna Dhoj Adhikari met him New Delhi. The meeting was held at the request of the Nepalese envoy.

The Minister emphasized that India wishes to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nepal in its neighbourhood, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in a statement.

Singh conveyed that, "It would be desirable that immediate steps are taken towards the release of political leaders, journalists and human rights activists; freedom of media is restored, multi-party democracy is reinstated, and efforts are made to evolve a national consensus to address the problems faced by the country."

The Minister reinforced Government's position spelt out in the official statement issued on Feb 1, 2005 following the dismissal of the multi-party Government of Sher Bahadur Deuba and assumption of executive powers by King Gyanendra.