Friday, April 22 2005 15:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jakarta: In the first political level contact after the royal takeover in Nepal, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh today (Apr 22, 2005) met King Gyanendra and sought speedy release of political prisoners, lifting of emergency and media censorship.

The 45-minute parleys came amid indication that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may also meet the Monarch on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian-African Summit In Jakarta.

This is the Monarch's first visit abroad after he seized power on February 1 and imposed emergency in the Himalayan kingdom, drawing strong condemnation from the international community including India, the United States and Britain.

Though the King met the Indian Ambassador in Kathmandu a week after the royal coup, he was apparently upset over New Delhi's tough position and had delayed till recently meeting the envoy when he requested for a second audience.

The Minister impressed on the King that a process of reconciliation should be initiated between political parties and the Constitutional monarchy leading to restoration of multi-party democracy in Nepal.

He conveyed India's strong belief that the problems confronting Nepal, including the Maoist insurgency, could be addressed only on the basis of national consensus between the "two constitutional forces in Nepal", Indian officials in Jakarta said.

In this context, the Minister called for speedy release of the remaining political leaders, lifting of emergency and media censorship.

The King explained the circumstances that led to the declaration of emergency and outlines the steps that he had already taken and proposed to take soon to lift the emergency and restore democratic process in the kingdom.

He said that he was greatly looking forward to meeting the Indian Prime Minister during the Summit.