India, US 'interfering' in Nepal, claims Maoist document

Kathmandu, Jan 10 (PTI) Nepal's ruling Maoists have
accused foreign powers, including India and the US, of
"interfering" in the internal affairs of the Himalayan nation.

In a political document yet to be made public, they also
claimed the US was "encircling" China through India and
suggested that Nepal should adopt a policy of equi-distance
with New Delhi and Beijing taking into consideration the
geopolitical situation, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Indian "expansionism" has "interfered" in Nepal's
political, cultural and economic affairs, the paper said
quoting Maoist sources. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
central committee also discussed these issues and expressed
views that the party should be serious about "nationalism",
the daily said.

Asked for his comment, senior party Standing Committee
member and the foreign department chief of the party C P
Gajurel admitted that the party has concluded that "there has
been increasing foreign interference in Nepal's political,
cultural, economic and social sectors."

"Nationalism has come under threat" in the present
circumstances, he said adding, the party has realised that it
should "launch a fight" against that.

The political document adopted by the party, which is to
be presented during its general convention in a few months,
also said the US has "interfered" in Nepal's political affairs
and the US Ambassador in Nepal has given speeches against the
Maoists in different parts of the country, the daily said.

"From the nuclear deal with India it is clear that
American colonialism is moving ahead through Indian
expansionism with the intention of increasing its hegemony in
South Asia as part of its strategy to encircle China," the
daily said quoting the Maoist document.

"We are against imperialism and expansionism," the daily
said quoting Maoist spokesman Dinanath Sharma. "America has
not abandoned imperialism and India has not abandoned
expansionism," he said.

"By encroaching Susta, Kalapani and Limpiyadura as well
as other places, India has made Nepal a victim of its
neocolonial expansionism," the document said, according to the
daily.

Pointing to recent awarding of contract for the
construction of Upper Karnali, Arun three and other hydropower
projects to Indian companies, the document said the Indian
"ruling class" has been trying to maintain a monopoly in
Nepal's water resources.

Stressing on uniting the world Communists for forming a
front of the Communists against imperialism, the document,
however, said the recent visits paid by Prime Minister
Prachanda to India, China and the US has succeeded in creating
a conducive international environment for the party.

The CPN-Maoist has in its political document termed the
Nepali Congress as the main "enemy force".