Friday, June 9 2006 12:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Despite his party's concerns over Nepal ending its unique status as the world's last Hindu kingdom, senior BJP leader L K Advani today (June 9, 2006) maintained that the neighbouring country has been a secular state all along.

"Nepal has always been a secular country. It is secular today, it was secular when it was (formally) called a Hindu kingdom," the Leader of Opposition told reporters after a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala here.

His comments came barely a day after BJP chief Rajnath Singh expressed concern over Nepal's parliament declaring the country a secular state.

"It's just like India a Hindu-majority but a secular country," Advani remarked when asked about his reaction to the Himalayan Kingdom stipulating that it would no longer be formally known as a Hindu country.