Restoration of multi-party democracy essential: PM

Hannover, Apr 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India had impressed upon Nepal's King Gyanendra to hand over all executive powers to political parties.

''Our efforts have been to persuade the King to restore multi-party democracy which is absolutely essential,'' Dr Singh told reporters after his talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel here.

Since his special envoy Karan Singh's talks with the King and political leaders of the Himalayan nation, the parties there have been discussing how to carry forward the process of ensuring democracy, he said.

The Prime Minister said the developments in Nepal were of ''vital concern'' to India as the two countries were close neighbours.

Apparently making it clear that India's initiative had not come rather late in the day, he said New Delhi had been expressing concern ever since the King dismissed the Sher Bahadur Deuba government in February 2005.

UNI AT RL HT2125