Thursday, March 3 2005 17:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The activities of Maoists in Nepal is a threat to India's security and Government has provided assistance as required by the Nepalese Government in dealing with challenges posed by the insurgency, Rajya Sabha was informed today (Mar 3, 2005).

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in a written reply to S S Ahluwalia that, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) had been deployed along the India-Nepal border to strengthen security in border areas.

A network of institutional dialogue mechanisms with the Nepalese Government had been evolved to discuss cross-border security issues, he said.

The Minister said that the role of political parties, representing multi-party democracy, in forging a national consensus in Nepal was "essential".

"India continues to closely follow developments in Nepal," he said, adding that the "Government has consistently articulated the view that problems being faced in Nepal should be addressed from a standpoint of national consensus."

In reply to another question, the Minister said that Nepalese political leaders are allowed to carry out activities in India in accordance with country's laws.