Cautious Words - India and China have been quick to react to the recent seven-party deal. But the tone is different.

By SUSHIL SHARMA
http://www.nepalnews.com/contents/2007/englishweekly/spotlight/dec/dec28/national.php

As the powerful west including the United States got engrossed in the Christmas celebrations, it was business as usual for Nepal's big, rival, neighbours.

Less than 24 hours after Nepal's seven parties inked an agreement in Baluwatar to virtually evict the king from Narayanhiti, India came out with a statement that was conspicuously silent on the fate of monarchy.

The external affairs ministry spokesman's statement lauded the fresh election commitment, dubbing it "an encouraging development in the right direction."

To him, it was important that seven-party agreement "accorded CA elections the central importance."

In Nepal, however, even as the central importance was being attached to the move to incorporate "federal democratic republic" in the interim constitution, most people and the parties alike remain only cautiously optimistic, if at all, about the polls.

A day after the Indian response to the seven-party deal came the Chinese reaction.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang welcomed the "progress made in the peace process" of Nepal.

"As a good neighbour, we sincerely hope the peace process will keep going to realize the political stability and economic development."

But going by a Beijing date-lined report by the official Xinhua news agency (The Kathmandu Post, December 26), the spokesperson did not refer to the 23-point agreement of the seven parties of Nepal.

While reiterating the traditional principles of "non-interference in other country's internal affairs", the spokesperson was silent on the constituent assembly elections commitment, unlike her Indian counterpart.

But like the latter, the Chinese too did not feel the need to make reference to the republic move.

The two big neighbours that have the highest stakes in Nepal remain tight-lipped on an issue that is shaking the earth beneath the Nepal Himalayas.

But, coincidentally, both speak out and apparently share views on the importance of "stability" in their strategically located neighbour.

India expressed "readiness, as ever, to assist in all possible ways Nepal's transition to a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous State."

China was quick to follow, "we will continue to play constructive role in the peace and stability of Nepal."

The future Nepal including that of the beleagurered monarchy will depend on what roles the two neighbours plan to play – and how.

As of now, there are confusing signals. Quipped a regional analyst, "the mutually wary neighbours are as confused as the ordinary Nepali people are."

It will take some time before the dust settles and the picture becomes clear, he added.