NEW DELHI, April 5 (UPI) -- India has welcomed the Nepalese Maoists' unilateral ceasefire, saying violence is not an answer to the problem.
The Hindu newspaper said Wednesday India expressed hope the ceasefire would be permanent.
India took two days to respond to the ceasefire announcement made by the rebels April 3.
"We welcome the ceasefire. As you know, India has always taken the position that violence is not the answer to the problems facing Nepal and that the Maoists should abandon violence as a political instrument. We trust that this ceasefire will be of a permanent nature and we continue to believe that the constitutional forces in Nepal should work together and find a lasting solution to the problem being faced by the country," said Navtej Sarna, Indian foreign ministry spokesman.
"You know India's position on Nepal, "Sarna said, adding "but on this particular aspect of Maoists, I have just given you our response that we have never believed that violence is the answer. We believe that Maoists should shun violence as an instrument of politics and following from that, naturally, we welcome the ceasefire."
The Maoists' announcement came two days ahead of mass protests announced by the seven-party alliance against the monarchy in the tiny Himalayan kingdom. The rebels have hinted that they are ready to work with the political parties to remove the pro-monarchy government and restore parliament.
