'No Change In Policy Regarding CPN (Maoists)'

Navtej Sarna: Looking at this morning’s newspapers, there wereseveral stories related to Nepal. I have a short statement to make

There is no change in respect of our policy with regard to the CPN (Maoists). Weunequivocally condemn their terrorist and violent activities that have causedenormous suffering to the people of Nepal.

It is our conviction that there is no purely military solution to the Maoistinsurgency. Durable peace and stability in Nepal can only be achieved through apolitical settlement, which, among other things, requires the Maoists toforswear armed struggle and lay down their arms.

India is committed to supporting all efforts at restoring peace, politicalstability and economic prosperity in Nepal.

Question: Has Mr Bhattarai met Mr. Prakash Karat?

Navtej Sarna:  I have a denial which has been issued by Mr Karat. So, Ido not think that I need to add anything to that.

Question: Do you think there is a ban on talking with the NepaleseMaoists?

Navtej Sarna: I do not think that I have to comment on such kind oflarge, speculative issues. I mean talk on what issues, in which forum, whichleader to whom? I am not prepared to answer questions on such a wide basis.

Question: If there cannot be a purely military solution then we have totalk…

Navtej Sarna:  There is no purely military solution to the Maoistsinsurgency. This is a problem which is happening in Nepal and our position onNepal you know.

Question: Was this denial issued today?

Navtej Sarna:  Yes, May 26. This is a press statement which has beenissued. It says that "the report in the Times of India that I have metthe Maoist leader from Nepal in a meeting arranged by the Indian SecurityAgencies is untrue. No such meeting was held".

Question: The Hurriyat has accepted the invitation from Pakistan for avisit. What is the Government of India’s stand on this?

Navtej Sarna:  The Government, as per the existing practice, willconsider applications by individuals to travel by bus from Srinagar toMuzaffarabad. This would be on the basis on which members of the Hurriyat couldapply for travel on the bus. The applications would be processed as perestablished procedures. The Government also has a clear understanding withPakistan that passengers traveling on the bus can travel only within theterritory of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir. Any travel beyond theterritory would not be in keeping with the understanding between the twoGovernments

Question: The RPO says that they do not have forms…

Navtej Sarna:  That is a matter of detail and logistics. I am givingyou the policy position.

Question: Can you confirm or deny whether Babu Ram Bhattarai was inDelhi?

Navtej Sarna:  I have no information. There is already a denial bythe General Secretary of CPI(M). Whether or not a particular individual is in acountry, on that I have no information.

Question: Would the Hurriyat meet the PM before they leave?

Navtej Sarna:  I have no information.

Question: Anything on the meetings with Shirin Tahir-Kheli?

Navtej Sarna:  Nothing yet. We do not have any readout on that. Ifthere is something maybe later in the day we will put that out.

Question: If the Hurriyat leaders move out of the territory of J&K?

Navtej Sarna:  As I said, if any individual is traveling on the busfrom Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, the very clear and explicit understanding betweenthe governments of India and Pakistan is that while this bus is open to thecitizens of India and the citizens of Pakistan they can only travel within theterritory of the erstwhile State of J&K. Anything which goes beyond thiswill be contrary to understanding of the two governments

Question: Did you talk to the Pakistan High Commission on this?

Navtej Sarna:  This is an explicit understanding which was reachedbetween the two governments before the bus was started. I do not think that weneed to raise it again and again. Both governments have accepted it. Oncegovernments accept it, such understandings are normally expected to berespected.

Question: Has any Hurriyat Leader applied for passport?

Navtej Sarna:  I have no information. If they have to apply for apassport as an individual citizen of India, they would apply to a particular RPOnot to MEA.

Question: Anything on the talks going on in Islamabad on Siachen?

Navtej Sarna:  The talks have started. We will probably get areadout tomorrow.