Tough times ahead for Nepal King

New Delhi: India, Britain and the US have come together to put pressure on Nepal's King Gyanendra to restore democracy.

Sources tell IBN that the US backing for the King was part of a strategy worked out by the three countries.

But with Gyanendra not taking any positive steps towards restoring democracy, they feel it is now time to call his bluff.

The role being played by the three countries indicates how seriously they view the Nepal situation.

But none can pressure King Gyanendra beyond a point.

India will not want to give any legitimacy to Nepal's Maoists because of the challenge posed by homegrown Maoists, while America's antipathy for anything Left is quite obvious.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Nepal's politicians have reportedly held secret talks with the Maoist rebels, pointing to a possible grand alliance against the monarch.

Intelligence experts, however, see little emerging from the discussions between Nepali political parties and the Maoists in New Delhi.

While there may be some convergence of views on the monarchy, the political parties may not want to go as far as the Maoists in abolishing it.

Also, the Maoist dominance of the countryside underscores the weakness of the political parties.

India halted military supply to Nepal after Gyanendra failed to fulfill his promise to restore democracy.

The suspension has weakened the Royal Nepalese Army's fight against Maoist insurgents.

The King fired the elected government and suspended the parliament on Februray 1, 2005 on the grounds that the government failed to deal with the rebels.