No link between Maoists in Nepal & India: Menon

22 Jun 2009, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: AS the Lalgarh operation in West Bengal continued, foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon, who ended a visit to Nepal on Sunday, said there was no evidence of any links between the Maoists in Nepal and India.

Security experts for long have said that the Maoist red corridor, which extends all the way from the borders of Nepal to South India right to the sea, has been extensively used by the Maoists to transport arms and cadres.

However, Mr Menon said there was nothing to suggest that there were any links. “There is nothing to suggest there is any link,” the Indian envoy was quoted as saying according to reports from Nepal. The foreign secretary, who ended a two-day visit to Nepal on Sunday, met Maoist chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda.

He was further quoted as saying that he had been “constantly assured by all legitimate political parties, including the Maoists” that they would not interfere in India’s ‘internal matters’.

Even as security forces here attempt to end the Maoist seize in Lalgarh, the Maoists in Nepal have launched fresh protests against the government. These protests have been triggered by the current dispensations order to overturn the sacking of army chief Gen Rookmangud Katawal. This was the issue that had led the Maoists to quit the government in protest. The Maoists had also blamed India for the fall of the government and have been playing the India card. In this backdrop, India has assured Nepal of all help in moving the peace process forward.

“India is committed to assist the government and people of Nepal in their transition to multi-party democracy and in the peace process to achieve their aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous future,”

Mr Menon told reporters. He said India is committed to further strengthening and enhancing ties with Nepal. The two sides have agreed to reactivate existing bilateral mechanism to resolve the border dispute.

Mr Menon met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist chief Prachanda, foreign minister Sujata Koirala, defence minister Bidya Devi Bhandari and home minister Bhim Rawal. He also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Gyan Chandra Acharya in Nepal.