Ex-Nepal PM urges anti-US unity

By Rajesh Joshi
BBC News

Prachanda is calling on China and India to combat US power in South Asia

Former Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda says Asian countries should develop a unified security strategy to combat US influence in South Asia.

In an interview with the BBC, he said India, China and Nepal should work together to counter American power.

The Maoist, who was a rebel leader before becoming prime minister, was speaking during a visit to Britain.

Prachanda resigned in May over the Nepalese president's decision to reinstate the army chief he had sacked.

Speaking at the Nepalese embassy in London, Prachanda said the emerging Asian economies should rely less on the West, especially the United States.

He said being the sole super power, the US was trying to have a greater influence in Asia, but India and China should come together to provide security and prosperity to their people.

New constitution

Prachanda, who became prime minister in 2008, said Delhi was wrong to think that he was closer to communist China than to India.

He said he wanted a good relationship with both neighbouring countries.

Prachanda acknowledged that India supported the dialogue between his Maoists and other political parties, after the Nepalese King Gyandendra assumed direct power in 2005.

But then, he said, Delhi lost its warmth towards the Maoists when historic elections resulted in him becoming prime minister.

On the domestic front, he said his party was striving to change the basic structure of Nepal through the Constituent Assembly, which would authorise a new constitution for Nepal.

He rejected any possibility of the restoration of monarchy, which was abolished in May 2008 after 240 years.

He said that over 90% of people were opposed to it.