Date:14/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/14/stories/2008061459881400.htm

International

Equidistance in ties: Prachanda

Beijing: Nepal Maoist supremo Prachanda, who is poised to lead the next government in Nepal, has underlined his desire to follow a policy of “equidistance” in relationship with India and China.

Mr. Prachanda, who has emerged as the pivot in Nepal politics after leading a decade-long armed struggle, expressed his eagerness to visit Mao Zedong’s village in China for greater inspiration.

“Equidistance means not siding with one country against another. My exact meaning of equidistance is to have good relations with both the neighbours,” he said in an interview to the state-run China Daily.

He said the Maoist-led government would take “strong measures” against “anti-China activities” in Nepal where Tibetan activists had been staging protests against Chinese rule in Tibet. “We will not tolerate anti-China activities on our soil and we will take strong administrative measures to control these activities.” — PTI