Monday, November 28 2005 19:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Maoist supremo Prachanda has said that India was not involved in facilitating a recent meeting of the rebels and the seven-party alliance, which had resulted in their 12-point understanding for a joint fight for restoration of democracy in the Himalyan Kingom.

The seven agitating parties and the Maoists had reportedly reached the deal, announced earlier this month, in New Delhi.

But Prachanda told BBC Nepalese service last night that India did not facilitate their meeting.

The Indian authorities may have been aware about the meeting but they were in no way involved in facilitating the meeting, he told BBC.

The 12-point understanding was for a joint agitation against the royal Government of King Gyandendra, but the sevenparties stopped short of a formal alliance with Maoists, saying the rebels should first lay down their arms.