Jaswant to visit Nepal on Apr 24 as BJP representative

New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) Observing that a ''strategic initiative'' in Nepal would be a big mistake, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said the party ''unequivocally'' supported constitutional monarchy and an effective and a functional democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Former external affairs minister and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Jaswant Singh, said at a crowded press conference here he would be visiting ''the Hindu Kingdom'' on April 24 as a representative of the BJP to impress upon King Gyanendra and political leaders that a peaceful and stable Nepal was in the interest of the country as well as for India.

He, however, made it clear that he was not going to Nepal because it was a Hindu kingdom but to impress upon them that peace and security are important for Nepal as well as India.

He said the purpose of the visit was to contribute to restoration of peace and amity, accord and mutual cooperation between the political parties and between political parties and the King.

''India's security interests are inextricably linked with the security in Nepal...A peaceful Nepal is not only good for the country but also good for India.'' Mr Jaswant Singh who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this morning to brief him about his visit, said he had discussed with the Prime Minister the government's approach and what the government had done so far to defuse the situation.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran also briefed him on the situation, Mr Singh said.

The senior BJP leader clarified that the visit was not under an invitation as reported, but he was going there as a BJP representative. The decision had been taken sometime back but it got delayed, he added.

In Nepal, he would meet the King, political leaders as well as Head of the Royal Nepal Army.

The first priority was to restore peace, he said adding that it was very important that the current phase of tension ended.

''It is important for the King to initiate steps so that peace is restored,'' Mr Singh added.

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