Wednesday, April 19 2006 15:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: India's special envoy to Nepal Karan Singh arrived here today (Apr 19, 2006), saying he was 'optimistic' about the talks he would be holding with King Gyanendra and leaders of political parties.

"I came here with India's good wishes to the Nepalese people," Singh, who was named as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, told reporters on his arrival here at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

He said he is 'optimistic about his visit.

He refused to specify the topics which would come up during his talks with the monarch and political leaders, including Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran also arrived in Nepal today after concluding his visit to Bhutan.

Amid deteriorating situation in the Nepalese Kingdom and as part of its efforts to mount pressure on King Gyanendra to restore democracy, India decided to send the Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister Singh to Kathmandu as a Special Envoy.

Singh will call on King Gyanendra at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace tomorrow, Indian Embassy sources here said.