KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 3: Within two days of seizing power, the King of Nepal has started a clinical damage-control exercise. Denied a chance to gain legitimacy by representing his country at the now-cancelled SAARC summit, King Gyanendra is now seeking to explain his position directly to countries that matter?those on which Nepal depends for aid.

Even as a bandh called by the Maoists fizzled out, partly because of a freeze on all channels of communication, King Gyanendra began the task of building diplomatic fences.



The ambassadors of India, China, UK and the US were called for consultations by Nepal?s newly-appointed Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey. He sought to convince them that the Deuba government was sacked because it was completely ineffective against the Maoist threat. He also said Kathmandu was keen to strengthen its ties with key powers.

Kathmandu is conscious that while Britain?s response has been somewhat ambivalent, New Delhi and Washington have openly disapproved of the manner in which the King got political leaders incarcerated to seize power.

Ideally, the King would not want to offend any of these countries. India has given Nepal Rs 374 crore ($85 million) in military aid alone. The US has put in $40 million while the UK has committed $50 million. These countries are still trying to decide whether the aid should be withheld on account of the latest developments.

The King would like to avoid such a scenario as the next tranche of $73 million from international lending institutions, which is due, is likely to be held back.

Indian Ambassador S S Mukherjee was the first diplomat to be called to the Foreign Office this morning. Foreign Minister Pandey told Mukherjee that the King was keen to work with India and did not want recent events to get in the way.

Mukherjee handed over India?s official statement on the subject but did not commit India?s hand one way or the other. The Nepalese Foreign Minister?s offer was later communicated to New Delhi.

The US Ambassador met Pandey later in the day and is understood to have conveyed that Washington would want democracy restored as soon as possible.

India, meanwhile, has fine-tuned its stand and is looking at working with political parties on the ground and with the King in his role as the constitutional monarch.

The tougher face of the new dispensation was also quite evident today. Some newspaper offices were raided and publication material seized.

With all forms of reaching out to people blocked and the Internet and phones down, the only demonstrations on the streets were in favour of the King.

Tourism has taken a big hit with foreigners fleeing the country and luxury hotels receiving a spate of cancellations.

The calm on the streets, however, is deceptive. The Maoists are gearing up for a test of strength. They have indicated that they will launch a series of agitations this month and the next.

A nationwide bandh is planned for April?partly because mobilisation has become a little more difficult and the Maoists want to give the King time to stumble.

Given the failure of the political parties, there is some support of the ground for the monarch. This, however, will remain only if he performs.

The Maoists have made it clear that they have no intention of talking to the King and are prepared to meet the Royal Nepalese Army head-on.

This could lead to a long and painful stalemate.