C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 001190

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV IN NP
SUBJECT: NEPALESE POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN DELHI

Classified By: DCM Robert O. Blake, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (U) This is an action request. See para 5.


2. (C) Sharing perspectives on Nepal developments with
Polcouns and Poloffs on February 15, International Crisis
Group (ICG) analyst Suman Pradhan (protect) reported on the
growing number of Nepalese politicians who have converged in
New Delhi in recent days, and their attempts to engage the
Indian government and political class to restore democracy in
their country. While many important political leaders
remained under house arrest in Kathmandu, second rung leaders
are working Indian contacts intensively, and intend to expand
their reach in the weeks ahead. Pradhan, who has also
relocated from Kathmandu for the time being, reported that
these exile politicians have already seen Foreign Secretary
Shyam Saran, old friends like ex-PM Chandrashekar, NDA
Convenor George Fernandes, and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury,
and plan press conferences, seminars and other public
meetings to advance their cause. They have deliberately not
sought to engage with the BJP. Prabhan asserted there is
support for the King in India among Hindu nationalist groups,
royal families connected by marriage to the Palace, business
interests, and in parts of the Army disappointed with the
parties' handling of the Maoist insurgency.


3. (C) Arguing that New Delhi has the potential to become a
major center of Nepalese democratic political activity
outside Nepal, Pradhan cited a February 14 meeting of six
Nepalese political parties in New Delhi that pressed the GOI
to cut off all military assistance to the King (the GOI has
already done this). This group included Pradeep Giri
(Congress-D), KC Chitra Bahadur (NCP-MASAL), Rajinder Mahoto
(NSP-A), Sekhar Koirala (Nepali Congress), Govind Koirala
(NCP-UML), and Chandra Dev Joshi (NCP-United).


4. (C) Pradhan indicated that Nepalese politicians also
intend to reach out to a broad array of influential
non-Indian individuals and organizations in New Delhi as part
of their campaign to increase pressure on the King, and may
seek an appointment with the Ambassador as well.


5. (C) Action Request: The GOI is of course already a major
player in Nepal, but if New Delhi does in fact increasingly
become a center of expatriate Nepalese democratic activity,
Embassy will want to increase its contacts with Nepalese
leaders here. We would be inclined for now to keep these
contacts at the working level, not engaging at the
Ambassador's level. As we look ahead, Post would appreciate
guidance on dealing with such an eventuality.
MULFORD