Sunday, November 13 2005 13:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 13, 2005) asked Nepal King Gyanendra to take 'concrete steps' for early restoration of multi-party democracy in the Himalayan kingdom, underlining that this won't be possible without involvement of political parties.

During a meeting here with Singh on the sidelines of the 13th SAARC Summit, the Nepal monarch, who seized power by overthrowing elected Government on February one, said he was prepared to take steps in this regard.

"The Prime Minister underlined (to the Nepal King) the importance of restoring multi-party democracy as early as possible and need to take concrete steps in this regard," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters after the 40-minute one-on-one meeting between Singh and Gyanendra.

Singh told the Nepal King that this "Will not be possible without involvement of political parties."

Gyanendra responded by saying that he remained committed to multi-party democracy and recognized that this was not possible without involvement of political parties, Sarna said.

The King said he was "Prepared to take steps to bring about restoration of multi-party democracy with the active involvement of political parties as early as possible," the spokesman said.

The two leaders, during the 'cordial' meeting, agreed on the importance of maintaining and consolidating traditionally close and friendly relations between the two neighbors.