Delhi declares three-day mourning

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 2. While declaring that ``India grieves with Nepal'', and ordering a state mourning for three days over the massacre of several members of the Nepal royal family, the Vajpayee Government is keeping a close watch over the tragic developments in the world's only Hindu kingdom. The immediate concern is that the kingdom may be in a for a prolonged ``period of uncertainty'', with unpredictable geo-political fallout.

As soon as authoritative news of King Birendra's death was available, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, spoke to his Nepali counterpart, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala. He also called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. The somewhat truncated CCS was of the view that preliminary evidence did not suggest any ``conspiracy'' and that the tragic events had to be put down to the crown prince's agitated state of mind.

However, since Prince Gyanendra has been declared only ``an acting king'' it would mean that regents would be calling the shots. India's concerns would be that the uncertain situation was not exploited by unfriendly powers to crank up an anti-India mood.

In a formal and bland statement, Mr. Jaswant Singh, Minister for External Affairs, put on record that ``the Government and the people of India are stunned and deeply shocked at the tragic and untimely demise of His Majesty the King of Nepal, Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family''. The statement added: ``As a close neighbour and friend, India conveys its heartfelt condolences to the mourning nation of the Royal Kingdom of Nepal and to the members of the royal family. Our heart goes out to them and the Queen Mother in this hour of grief. India grieves with Nepal.''

Later, the Union Cabinet met at the Prime Minister's residence and passed a condolence resolution. ``As a neighbour and close friend,'' the resolution read, ``in this hour of Nepal's grief, we share the feelings of immense sorrow of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, members of the Royal Family and the Government and people of the Kingdom of Nepal. We pray that the mourning nation and its citizens be bestowed the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. India stands by them in this hour of national grief.'' Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Singh noted that as per the earlier plan the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, and the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, would have represented India at the royal funeral; however, since then Nepal has expressed itself unable to invite any foreign dignitary.

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