Wednesday, May 17 2006 16:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India will talk to the new Government in Nepal on all security related issues including ISI activities, Lok Sabha was informed today (May 17, 2006).

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamad said during Question Hour that the new Government in Nepal had the support of Maoists.

He said the Nepalese government had assured India that they would not allow any anti-India activities, including those of ISI, from their soil.

Ahamed said the government was aware of contact between Indian naxal groups and Nepal's Maoists but denied any operation linkages between the two.

"India has consistently called for the process of genuine dialogue between constitutional forces of Nepal to find a peaceful solution to challenges facing the country, including the Maoist insurgency," the Minister said.

He said India has been closely following events in Nepal arising out of the movement by political parties for restoration of multi-party democracy there, which rapidly gathered momentum in April, 2006.

"The matter of ensuring safety and security of Indians in Nepal was forcefully taken up by government through diplomatic channels with Nepalese authorities," he said.