In response to a question on the lifting of the emergency in Nepal the Ministry of External Affairs’ Official Spokesperson said:

“We welcome the lifting of the emergency in Nepal as a first step towards the beginning of a political process in that country. We call for the release of all political leaders still in custody and the restoration of civil liberties which would open the way for reconciliation between the two constitutional forces. It has been our consistent view that multi-party democracy represented by political parties and the constitutional monarchy should work together to address the serious challenges facing Nepal today.”

New Delhi, April 30, 2005