Tuesday, March 8 2005 13:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Under attack from India and western democracies for King Gyanendra's decision to seize power, Nepal Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey in New Delhi on a visit aimed at reconciliation, today (Mar 8, 2005) expressed confidence that these countries will support the Kingdom's war against Maoists and "efforts to protect democracy."

In the first high-level visit after the Royal takeover on February 1, Pandey, who met External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, said, "I am confident that after our talks, the understanding (on India's part) has been enriched and areas of cooperation will be enlarged".

"The countries and the people who really believe in democracy will definitely support Nepal's war against terrorism and its efforts to protect democracy," he said.

The Minister parried a question on whether he had sought resumption of military aid by India halted since February 1 when the King dismissed the multiparty Government led by Sher Bahadur Dueba, declared emergency, detained political party leaders and imposed censorship on the press.

New Delhi has said the issue is under "constant review", he said while emphasising that the media must understand the "sensitivities" of the close relations between India and Nepal.

Pandey, who is on a three-day 'working visit' at his behest, said "I have known Natwar Singh for a long time. The meeting was very useful".

Pandey said he had explained to Singh the "compulsions" that prompted the King to take the measures. "The decision is in favour of democracy and peace".

He said that Nepal has "wasted three-and-a-half years and paid a heavy price just to learn that without having peace and security, there cannot be elections. And without elections, you cannot bring in multi-party democracy back on track".

The Nepalese Minister said that he had conveyed the King's assurance that steps are being taken to relax some of these measures in the near future but did not elaborate.

He reiterated the King's commitment to restoring multi-party democracy at the earliest.

Pandey contended that the King's decision was supported by the Nepalese people. "It is in accordance with the wishes of the Nepalese people and the need of our country".

Natwar Singh had bluntly told his Nepalese counterpart about India's disappointment at the King's measures, saying it had served to only deepen the crisis facing Nepal.

He pointed out that not only India, but also several other friends of Nepal, had expressed grave concern over these measures on the ground that they could endanger the institution of monarchy itself.

New Delhi feels that the events since February 1 has served to demonstrate that the security situation in Nepal has not improved and the country was now also facing a deteriorating economic situation.