Tuesday, April 18 2006 10:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Expressing 'great concern' over the situation in Nepal, India has asked King Gyanendra to immediately initiate dialogue with the political parties aimed at reconciliation and evolving national consensus.

India's 'concerns' and views were conveyed to Gyanendra when its Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Mukherjee met the monarch in Kathmandu yesterday to discuss the current political situation in the Himalayan kingdom.

During the meeting, Mukherjee underlined the need for immediate initiation of dialogue between the royal government and political parties, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

"The monarchy and political parties should work together for reconciliation and develop national consensus," he said.

Sarna said India was monitoring the situation in Nepal very closely and in this regard Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a high-level meeting here last night to review the latest developments in the neighbouring country.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing Army Commanders' conference, said the situation in Nepal was a matter of great concern.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and hope that the ongoing agitation would subside with constructive dialogue between the political parties and the King," he said.

The royal government has launched a crackdown against pro-democracy movement which was launched on April six As part of government actions, police have been using force, including resort to firing, against the activists.