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SOURCE:- NDTV.com: Prachanda urges essential goods from India

Prachanda urges essential goods from India

Maoist supremo Prachanda, whose party is set to lead a coalition government in Nepal, has said India must ensure a steady supply of essential goods to his land-locked country keeping in mind the ''sensitive political situation''.

If a proper atmosphere for cooperation can be created in this matter, it will certainly help in taking the bilateral relations to a ''new high'', he told businessmen at the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Kathmandu last evening.

He refuted reports that after the Maoists' victory in the crucial constituent assembly polls, India has halted supply of cement, iron rods and other building materials to Nepal, creating scarcity in the country's construction industry.

The Maoist chief said if any problem arises in the smooth supply of essential goods to Nepal from India at this ''sensitive political situation'', it would have a ''long-term negative impact'' on bilateral relations.

''This matter also came up during the discussion I had with officials in Delhi,'' he said apparently referring to his telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Pranab
Mukherjee on Tuesday.

''As Nepalese people have given a legitimate mandate to the Maoists to take a lead role in drafting the new constitution and rebuilding Nepal, I believe India has well understood and accepted this reality and time and again commitment has been expressed to move the relations forward,'' Prachanda said.