India voices support for Nepali parties

The government's statement came after Indian newspapers described New Delhi as hailing the monarch's declaration late Friday that he would give up the absolute powers he seized last year.

On Saturday, however, New Delhi said the press reaction to its statement in which it said it "welcomes his (the king's) intention to transfer all executive power of the state" had been a "misrepresentation" of India's stand.

"There is no question of India's commitment to democracy in Nepal. I want this message to go very loud and clear," foreign secretary Shyam Saran told reporters in New Delhi.

"We support the view of the (seven-party) alliance that restoration of peace and multi-party democracy in Nepal is the need of the hour," he said.

Praising the political parties for leading a peaceful pro-democracy movement, Saran said a statement by the alliance earlier Saturday rejecting the king's offer was a reiteration of the parties' long-stated agenda.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, however, said the king's proposal was a "step in the right direction".

"There should be a government in place which exercises all the executive powers. The process has begun," Singh told reporters aboard his aircraft on his way to Germany for a three-day visit.

He said India could not "afford" to see Nepal become a "failed state".

Analysts said the government's latest statement about Nepal was aimed at controlling damage done by its support for the king's offer.

Meanwhile, China urged calm in restive Nepal Sunday, while welcoming the speech of King Gyanendra that offered to hand power back to the people, the foreign ministry said.

"Nepal is a good friendly neighbour of China, we sincerely hope the situation in Nepal will quickly recover calm and that the political situation will become stable," ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

"We welcome the nationally televised speech of King Gyanendra and we think that the king's speech will help the political forces in Nepal to engage in dialogue and realize political reconciliation."