India cannot afford to have Nepal as failed state: Manmohan

Hannover, Apr 22 (UNI) Terming Nepal King Gyanendra's announcement as a step in the right direction, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that India would do everything to prevent Nepal from becoming a failed state as New Delhi indicated that it would consider resuming arms supplies to the Himalayan Kingdom once a democratically elected government was again in place.

" We will help Nepal recover from its difficult situation," Dr Singh said.

Elaborating on Dr Singh's views, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan said India could consider the resumption of arms supplies to Nepal, which was suspended after the King dislodged the Sher Bahadur Deuba government and imposed emergency on February 1 last year, if the Royal Nepal Army desired so for ensuring peace and security once a democratic government was installed.

Dr Singh said India's role in Nepal was to ensure that all elements of its polity were talking to each other.

''We are not dictating anything to them. Our role is that of a conciliator to ensure that the democratic process is restored,'' he said.

Dr Singh said there was no change in India's position on Nepal that the Constitutional Monarchy and Multi-party democracy were the two pillars of Nepalese polity.

Noting that there was improvement in India's relations with Pakistan, Dr Singh said he would visit the neighbouring country ''at an appropriate time''.

He said, ''I have an invitation which was extended to me in April 2005(when Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf visited India). I had accepted it.'' Asked if the two countries were close to a breakthrough on Siachen issue, the Prime Minister said, ''it is too early for me to announce.'' Dr Singh's remarks came amid reports that he could visit Pakistan in July-August to clinch accords on Siachen and Sir Creek issues.

Mr Narayanan acknowledged that there had been a satisfactory progress on the Siachen and Sir Creek issues.

''We are progressing, there are a few questions to be worked out, the main being the authentication of the actual ground position of troops.'' Mr Narayanan said there was willingness and political will on both sides to resolve all issues.

Dr Singh said the Government was in consultation with the Opposition Parties to deal with the office of profit issue in the coming session of Parliament.

Dr Singh said the outcome of the ongoing assembly elections would have no bearing on the stability of the UPA government. He declined to say anything on the reported proposal to introduce quota in the private sector and government-funded private educational institutions.

The Prime Minister arrived here today on the first leg of his visit to Germany and Uzbekistan, during which he will seek to muster the international community's support for the Indo-US civilian nuclear energy cooperation deal.

Dr Singh, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Indian Ambassador to Germany Meera Shankar and senior Indian and German officials.

The delegation included Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and senior officials.

The ostensible reason for the Prime Minister's visit to Germany is to inaugurate tomorrow the famous Hannover Trade Fair along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. India is the partner country in the fair this time, after 22 years. Over 300 Indian companies will be participating in the fair to showcase Indian expertise in the industrial sector. India will also participate in the World Energy Dialogue.

External Affairs Ministry officials say the Prime Minister will hold extensive talks with the German Chancellor on a wide range of bilateral issues as well as the international situation.

He will utilise the opportunity to address Germany's concerns over the Indo-US nuclear deal, clinched in March. Germany is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), whose ratification of the accord is necessary for the deal to come into force.

India and Germany will set up a bilateral Energy Forum. It will be co-chaired by the Power Secretary on the Indian side.

The two countries will also sign three MoUs in the fields of railways, medical research and standards.

On Monday, the Prime Minister will leave here for the German capital of Berlin to meet President Horst Koehler and other leaders.

He will fly to Uzbekistan on Tuesday, reaching the Central Asian country's capital of Tashkent late in the evening.

Dr Singh will hold talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov on Wednesday on enhancing cooperation in various fields, particularly energy.

Some agreements in the energy sector are expected, besides pacts in education and research after the talks.

Uzbekistan has large gas reserves which are unexplored and India has expressed its desire for cooperation in this area.

In a departure statement in New Delhi earlier, Dr Singh expressed the hope that his visit would strengthen India's trade and strategic partnership with Berlin and provide a new meaning to the comprehensive ties with Tashkent.

''My visit to Germany will provide an opportunity to further strengthen relations with one of the major European powers and a valuable partner on global issues,'' Dr Singh said in a statement before leaving for Hannover.

The Prime Minister laid stress on trade and economic ties with Germany, stating that Berlin ''is one of the world's foremost trading nations. It is one of India's most important business partners and among the major foreign investors in our country.'' Dr Singh said India's participation at the Hannover Fair would help showcase the vast potential for partnership that India offered for trade, industry and technological collaboration through mutual benefit.

On his visit to Uzbekistan, taking place at the invitation of President Islam Karimov, he said India hoped to build on ''our traditional ties in providing them with new meaning and substance including in the political, economic, defence, energy, science and technology and cultural fields.'' The Prime Minister said the two countries shared longstanding ties and deep-rooted cultural and civilisational links. ''Uzbekistan is an important country in the Central Asian region which we consider part of our extended neighbourhood.'' Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and several other cabinet ministers were present at the 7 Race Course residence of Dr Singh to see him off.

UNI