Date:18/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051859960800.htm

National

“Maoists gave assurances on commitment to democracy”

Siddharth Varadarajan

Bagdogra: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a press conference here on Saturday that Maoists in Nepal had given assurances of their commitment to the democratic process.

He was replying to a question on whether India shared the concerns of some countries about the Maoists leading the new coalition government there.

Dr. Singh said India had been in touch with all parties as well as the leadership of the Maoists. All parties which took part in the recent election in Nepal had a duty to ensure its final success.

India, he said, was hopeful that “all the problems that have arisen between the different parties there will be resolved amicably and the process of government formation takes place smoothly.”