India not talking to Maoists leaders directly: Sharma

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) India is engaged in dialogue with various political leaders of Nepal, who, in turn, are in touch with the Maoist activists and the government has no objection to this arrangement if it helps restore normalcy and democracy in the Himalayan kingdom.

This was stated by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma in his intervention during the debate on the working of his ministry in the Rajya Sabha today.

However, he made it clear that the Indian Government was not in direct touch with the Maoist leaders. He admitted that some of the political leaders of Nepal, who were in touch with India, were in dialogue with the extremists in their country and ''we have no problem as long as it helps restore democracy and normalcy in Nepal''.

He said India would not condone any statement directed at spreading violence in the neighbouring nation.

Mr Sharma said there was no question of India succumbing to any pressure in the recently signed nuclear deal with the US. The deal was an acknowledgement of the rising profile of India in the comity of nations in terms of its political, strategic and economic profile, he added.

As for Pakistan, he did not agree with Leader of Opposition Jaswant Singh and said there was nothing wrong if the Indian leadership took up the issue of cross-border violence with US President George W Bush.

He said the government was concerned over the spurt in terrorist violence some of which originated from the bases in Bangladesh.

India's concerns had been conveyed to Bangladesh and ''we are not oblivious to the situation'', he said.

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