Nepal communists see Indian relief as a threat

Nepal's communists have said that national security is under threat by some foreign powers in the name of relief distribution and urged Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to take note of this.

At an all-party meeting called by Koirala, three senior communist leaders - UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, CPN-Maoist's Mohan Baidhya and Majdoor Kisan Party's Narayan Man Bijukchhe - warned that national security could be at stake.

According to the Annapura Post daily, Baidhya and Bijukchhe said in the meeting that India, in the name of relief distribution, is posing serious threat to national security and urged the prime minister that activities of the Indian Army and rescue team should be contained.

Dahal said that India's border force is going beyond the control of Nepal government and its activities are not helpful in relief distribution. He also said in the meeting that government should prepare a guideline to accept what kind of foreign aid, assistance in cash and kind should be taken by Nepal.

Baidhya said that Indian intervention is increasing in Nepal following the earthquake and it is only focusing on Tribhuvan International Airport and towards the northern border of Nepal, China.

"This would hamper our relations with China," he said in the meeting, according to the daily.

Following criticism of India in some media reports, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu issued a press statement saying Indian teams are working in accordance with Nepal government instructions.

Similarly, National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar have said India had extended its friendly hand to Nepal.