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Arms embargo on Nepal should continue: Indian team

KATHMANDU: India should continue arms embargo on Nepal to pressure King Gyanendra to restore multiparty democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom, according to visiting Indian political leaders.

All the political parties represented in the delegation felt that arms supply should not continue, said CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechuri at a press conference here on Fridayday. ``We have already told the Government of India about that,'' he said at the conclusion of the five-party delegation's three-day visit to Nepal.

He also denied allegations by the Nepalese authorities that they were interfering in the internal affairs of the kingdom. ``We are here not to interfere in internal affairs of Nepal, but to extend solidarity and moral support to the Nepalese people's movement for restoration of democracy.'' If extending moral support to democracy is interference in internal affairs, then why VHP and Shiva Sena chiefs' remarks supporting the February 1 Royal takeover were not an interference, he asked.

Mr. Yechuri said the Indian Government had recognised multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy as two pillars of Nepal's democracy and any deviation from that would not be in the interest of Nepal.

To a question, he said it was up to the political parties here how they would talk to the Maoists and the King. — PTI

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