India concerned at Deuba's arrest

Voicing deep concern at the re-arrest of former Nepal-ese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, India today said such acts were "contrary" to assurances given by Kathmandu and would "further complicate" efforts for a reconciliation between political parties and the constitutional monarchy in Nepal.

New Delhi also indicated that no decision has yet been taken on resumption of defence supplies to Nepal.

Deuba, sacked by King Gyanendra in February, was arrested early today from his residence in Kathmandu on alleged graft charges, a week after he refused to appear before a royal anti-corruption commission.

The government is "deeply concerned" at the arrest of Deuba, who is leader of the Nepali Congress (Democratic), external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

"We are also concerned that the arrest and detention of political leaders, student leaders and workers of political parties continue, as do the restrictions on travel and movement of some academicians, human rights activists and students, contrary to assurances conveyed to us," he said.

Gyanendra had assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during their meeting in Jakarta on the margins of the Asian-African Summit last week that he would work towards restoring multi-party democracy and lifting of emergency in a phased manner.

"We believe that these developments would further complicate efforts for a reconciliation between political parties and the constitutional monarchy in Nepal," Sarna said.

The spokesman said it has always been India's conviction that the problems confronting Nepal today can be addressed effectively only on the basis of national consensus between the two constitutional forces.

Asked about resumption of military supplies to Nepal which has remained suspended since February 1 when King Gyanendera sacked Deuba, declared emergency, detained political leaders and clamped press censorship, he recalled the Prime Minister's remarks that this issue will be seen in its "proper perspective".

On what this meant, he said the government would take into account "all developments, all situations and balanced decisions in this regard will be taken".

Asked whether a consignment of defence supplies to be sent to Nepal has been put on hold, he said "I am not going to say anything more on this. I think the Prime Minister himself has spoken. I would not like to try and read meaning into his words".

The developments in Nepal figured during talks visiting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh here. Since both Singh and Annan had called on Gyanendra in Jakarta, they shared their assessments of their discussions with the monarch.