Date:08/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/08/stories/2007060809111200.htm

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National

We support democratic movement in Nepal: BJP

Special Correspondent

But wants religious identity of Hindu and Buddhist heritage preserved

Rajnath, Madhav Nepal discuss issues

Nepalese leader met Vajpayee on Wednesday

Madhav Nepal

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party supports the democratic movement in Nepal but wants Kathmandu to take "proactive steps" to "preserve the religious identity of its Hindu and Buddhist heritage."

This was conveyed to general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal Madhav Nepal by BJP president Rajnath Singh at a meeting here on Thursday.

A number of issues concerning India and Nepal also came up at the meeting.

The Nepalese leader met the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Wednesday and both emphasised the significance of the historic relationship between the two nations.

At the meeting with Mr. Singh Mr. Nepal expressed his appreciation of the support extended by India's political parties when turmoil prevailed in his country.

Mr. Singh hoped that Kathmandu would take note of the activities of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence on its soil and ensure that it did not plan or perpetrate anything against India from Nepal.

The Madhesis problem was discussed in the context of Nepal's accusations that the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh organisations encouraged the trouble. The BJP had always denied this.

Both leaders said they would like regular party-to-party contacts and Mr. Nepal accepted Mr. Singh's invitation to visit India with a party delegation.