New Delhi, March 28:

Indian leaders have reiterated their support for the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy in Nepal, according to CPN-UML leader Jhala Nath Khanal.

Talking to THT, Khanal said: “Indian leaders have repeated their support for the seven-party alliance’s movement and the agreement reached between the Maoists and alliance.” Khanal had met many Indian leaders including Communist leader Sita Ram Yachuri and foreign secretary Shyam Sharan during the past few days. Khanal held talks with Indian experts on Nepal affairs Prof S D Munni, Ashok Mehata and S Rasgotra among others this morning.

“During today’s meeting, I requested the experts to rethink on the need of constitutional monarchy in Nepal as India has so far been favouring constitutional monarchy when it comes to supporting multi-party democracy or constitutional monarchy,” Khanal said, adding: “The Indian government and the leaders have expressed support for the agitation by Nepali people.”

“Indian officials and leaders also expressed concern about and condemned the arrest of UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal,” Khanal said. He also said talks with Maoist leaders are going on to sort out the differences over various issues between the alliance and the Maoists.