I beg to differ from the views expressed in the article "Nepal: An Indian faux pas?", especially with the statement that the Government of India has "reacted in a knee-jerk fashion to the developments in Nepal (Business Line, February 21).

It is but right that India should do whatever it can to thwart King Gyanendra's overarching ambition to concentrate all power in the palace. India, the US and other countries cannot turn a blind eye to the going-on in Nepal on the grounds that it is a purely internal matter of that country.

Sixty per cent or more of Nepal's budget comes from outright grants and loans from foreign governments including India. The military should not be allowed to use this money for arresting political dissidents, disrupting telecommunications, censoring news or dispersing peaceful demonstrations.

Another question arises. If the military is busy quelling legitimate dissent, who is left to deal with the Maoists? If the Maoists are not contained, there will definitely be a spill-over into India.

The ascendancy of the Maoists to power is unthinkable. Indian diplomacy must rise to the occasion to find the best possible solutions to fight the insurgency which has claimed more than 11,000 lives. The attempted solution to concentrate power in the hands of the monarch should be deemed a non-starter.

Kangayam R. Rangaswamy

Madison, US

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